fail to recognise

USAGE SUMMARY

'fail to recognise' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is a verb meaning to not identify or realize something. For example, "Many people fail to recognise the effects of climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet medical staff often fail to recognise the benefits of understanding a person's experience of illness.

Independent

The new one is to fail to recognise that your closest allies are not potential terrorists.

The Economist

Would we fail to recognise a man so many had come to know and love?

Independent

Bubbles inflate precisely because people fail to recognise that they are living with dangerous imbalances.

The Economist

Politicians traditionally fail to recognise recessions in time, and then take too long to enact stimulus.

The Economist

The executives may become complacent and fail to recognise the threat of new products and services.

The Economist

They also raise further questions about how often family doctors fail to recognise telltale signs.

The Guardian

Not once in my testing did it fail to recognise my finger.

The Guardian - Tech

But what Žižek's critics fail to recognise is how quickly the tables are turned.

The Guardian - Opinion

They still fail to recognise that you need a strong economy to fund the NHS.

The Guardian

"I do think they fail to recognise two things," he says.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fail to recognise" when you want to emphasize a lack of awareness or understanding, rather than a deliberate refusal to acknowledge something. For example, "Many companies fail to recognise the importance of employee well-being."

Common error

While "fail to recognise" is generally acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Substitute with synonyms like "overlook" or "neglect to consider" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to recognise" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a predicate in a sentence. According to Ludwig, it indicates a lack of recognition or understanding. Examples show it used to describe shortcomings in awareness or acknowledgment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail to recognise" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate a lack of understanding or acknowledgment. Ludwig's analysis confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal writing. While versatile, overuse can be avoided by employing synonyms like "fail to realize" or "fail to acknowledge". The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources such as The Guardian and BBC underscores its reliability in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to realize

Emphasizes a lack of understanding or awareness.

fail to understand

Highlights a lack of comprehension.

fail to acknowledge

Focuses on a lack of explicit acceptance or admission.

fail to appreciate

Suggests a lack of valuing or recognizing the worth of something.

miss the point

Indicates a failure to grasp the central idea or argument.

overlook

Implies a failure to notice something important.

neglect to consider

Highlights a failure to take something into account.

be blind to

Indicates a complete lack of awareness.

cannot perceive

Focuses on an inability to detect or sense something.

disregard

Emphasizes the act of ignoring or paying no attention to something.

FAQs

What does "fail to recognise" mean?

The phrase "fail to recognise" means to not identify, understand, or acknowledge something or someone. It indicates a lack of awareness or comprehension.

What can I say instead of "fail to recognise"?

You can use alternatives like "fail to realize", "fail to understand", or "fail to acknowledge" depending on the context.

Is "fail to recognise" the same as "refuse to recognise"?

No, "fail to recognise" implies a lack of awareness or understanding, while "refuse to recognise" implies a deliberate unwillingness to acknowledge something.

How to use "fail to recognise" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to recognise" in sentences like: "Many politicians "fail to acknowledge" the needs of their constituents" or "Some people "fail to understand" the consequences of their actions".