fail to respond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to respond" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that someone did not respond to something or took no action. For example: "The student failed to respond to their teacher's instructions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Even if they fail to respond, I will never fail to respond".

The New York Times - Sports

You fail to respond, you look weak and reckless.

The New Yorker

At least 10% fail to respond to three different treatments.

The Guardian

But they fail to respond to his instructions.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Seeing such sincerity, how could Leonard fail to respond?

The New Yorker

Up to 30% of patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) fail to respond to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ).

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

In those patients with functional limitation who fail to respond to conservative treatment, surgery is indicated.

Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic & Related Surgery

Unfortunately, many patients still fail to respond to therapies that target CTLA-4 and PD-1.

Immunity

Will people reject bots that fail to respond to them intelligently?

The Guardian

Those who fail to respond to this hardening of public opinion will be left behind.

The Guardian - Opinion

Patients who fail to respond to one combination can be put on another.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fail to respond", ensure the context clearly indicates what the expected response was and the consequences of its absence.

Common error

While "fail to respond" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "not react" or "remain silent" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to respond" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the absence of a reaction, answer, or acknowledgement to a stimulus, question, or situation. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, including medical treatments and social interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fail to respond" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase indicating a lack of reaction or answer. As shown by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it’s grammatically correct and applicable across various registers, although careful selection of synonyms can enhance writing style. Remember to clearly define the expected response in your context and be mindful of potential overuse. When a more nuanced meaning is needed, consider using alternatives like "not react" or "remain silent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unresponsive

Describes a state of being unable or unwilling to respond, emphasizing the condition rather than the action.

not answer

Emphasizes the lack of a reply or acknowledgement, typically in a direct communicative context, while "fail to respond" is broader.

not react

Focuses on the absence of a reaction, which can be physical or emotional, whereas "fail to respond" often implies a communicative absence.

not acknowledge

Highlights the lack of recognition or acceptance, different from simply not replying.

ignore

Highlights a deliberate lack of attention or response, suggesting intention where "fail to respond" may not.

not acknowledge receipt

Specifically indicates a failure to confirm receiving something, narrowing the scope of "fail to respond".

neglect to answer

Suggests a careless oversight in not responding, implying negligence where "fail to respond" may not.

remain silent

Stresses the absence of speech or communication, adding a layer of intentional withholding not always present in "fail to respond".

omit to reply

Highlights the omission of a reply, formal and precise when describing inaction.

disregard

Implies a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss something, adding a level of intent absent from "fail to respond".

FAQs

How can I use "fail to respond" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to respond" to indicate a lack of reaction or answer. For example, "If the system "fails to respond" within 5 seconds, an error message will appear."

What's a more formal alternative to "fail to respond"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "be unresponsive" or "omit to reply" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is it better to use "fail to respond" or "refuse to respond"?

The choice depends on the context. "Fail to respond" indicates a lack of response without necessarily implying intent, while "refuse to respond" suggests a deliberate choice not to answer or react.

What does it mean when someone "fails to respond"?

It means they do not react, answer, or take action in a situation where a response is expected or required. The reasons can vary from technical issues to intentional ignoring.