fail to resolve the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to resolve the problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations where an issue remains unsolved or unaddressed despite attempts to fix it. Example: "Despite several meetings and discussions, we continue to fail to resolve the problem of communication within the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Only if these contexts fail to resolve the problem may we consider psychological claims about the author.

SEP

8 These kind of interventions fail to resolve the problem and do not reduce the costs caused by the complaint.

Clinical interventions in aging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

However, these had failed to resolve the problem.

The Guardian

Many gritty rounds of negotiations with the Turks have so far failed to resolve the problem.

The Economist

Yep, Obama has failed to resolve the problem of excessive entitlement spending; furthermore, he's cutting entitlement spending!

The New York Times

Back in April, I was told that I should replace my router at a cost of £50 but this failed to resolve the problem.

The Guardian - Money

He said he would consider taking "more intrusive action" if the agency failed to resolve the problem, but did not elaborate.

The New York Times

Because of a right wrist injury, he has not played since the Australian Open in January, and on Tuesday, after extensive therapy failed to resolve the problem and the pain, he underwent wrist surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

The New York Times

(Yahoo says it offers phone support for its free e-mail service "in some cases," but it does not publish the phone number; it is revealed to the user in distress only after e-mail communication fails to resolve the problem).

The New York Times

This is because it fails to resolve the problem of infinite regress.

SEP

After cease and desist letters failed to resolve the problem, Milton Hershey filed suit in 1921 in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania for trademark infringement.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to resolve the problem", ensure that the context clearly indicates previous attempts or expectations of finding a solution. For instance, "Despite numerous negotiations, they "fail to resolve the problem" of territorial disputes".

Common error

Avoid using "fail to resolve the problem" in overly passive constructions, as it can weaken the impact of your writing. Instead of saying "The problem failed to be resolved", a more direct approach would be "They failed to resolve the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to resolve the problem" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating an inability or lack of success in finding a solution to a specific issue. As seen in Ludwig's examples, this phrase commonly appears in contexts discussing negotiations, treatments, or efforts that have not yielded the desired outcome. It expresses a negative result or a lack of progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to resolve the problem" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the lack of success in finding solutions to a problem. According to Ludwig, it appears frequently in news and scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral and professional tone. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates previous attempts to solve the problem and avoid overusing passive voice. Alternative phrases include "unable to solve the issue" or "not able to address the problem". The phrase effectively communicates concern or frustration about unresolved issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to solve the issue

Focuses on the inability to find a solution to a specific issue.

not able to address the problem

Highlights the lack of attention or action taken to deal with the problem.

incapable of fixing the situation

Emphasizes the lack of capacity to improve or correct an adverse situation.

could not remedy the issue

Suggests that previous actions taken or actions to be taken haven't lead/won't lead to positive result.

unsuccessful in tackling the problem

Highlights the absence of achieving results.

did not manage to resolve the problem

Indicates a lack of success in the problem resolution process.

failed to remedy the situation

Focuses on the fact that the situation has not been fixed.

unable to overcome the obstacle

Focuses on being unable to surpass an impediment.

efforts to resolve the problem were fruitless

Highlights that, although effort has been put in, the results did not pay off.

the problem remained unresolved

A more passive voice construction emphasizing the lack of resolution.

FAQs

What does it mean to "fail to resolve the problem"?

To "fail to resolve the problem" means that efforts to find a solution to a particular issue have been unsuccessful, and the problem persists.

How can I use "fail to resolve the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to resolve the problem" to describe situations where solutions have not been found, such as, "The committee "failed to resolve the issue" despite several meetings".

What are some alternative phrases to "fail to resolve the problem"?

Some alternative phrases include "unable to solve the issue", "not able to address the problem", or "incapable of fixing the situation". See more alternatives "here".

Is it better to say "fail to resolve the problem" or "failed to solve the problem"?

Both "fail to resolve the problem" and "failed to solve the problem" are grammatically correct, but they convey slightly different meanings. "Fail to resolve the problem" can indicate an ongoing or habitual inability, while "failed to solve the problem" refers to a specific instance.