failed to acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to acknowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's lack of recognition or response to a particular issue, statement, or situation. Example: "The committee failed to acknowledge the concerns raised by the community during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He failed to acknowledge any conflicts of interest.

The Guardian

The Dutch government failed to acknowledge its seriousness.

The Guardian

The world of climate science has so far failed to acknowledge these new potential hazards.

Yale University

But it failed to acknowledge the African Union's and South Africa's own shortcomings.

The New York Times

But Mr. Mozilo failed to acknowledge what came next for shareholders.

The New York Times

Importantly the taskforce failed to acknowledge that obsessive 'teaching to the test' can actively undermine learning.

The Guardian

He delegated too much to Mapes, the panel report said, and then failed to acknowledge mistakes.

The New Yorker

Observers say both sides have failed to acknowledge their responsibility for violence.

The Guardian

Thus far, President Megawati Sukarnoputri has failed to acknowledge the seriousness of the Islamic terror threat.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

For months, the Mayor's office failed to acknowledge the gift.

The New Yorker

And David utterly failed to acknowledge that was the case".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to acknowledge", ensure it's followed by a clear statement of what was not acknowledged to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to acknowledge" excessively in passive constructions. Instead, restructure sentences to emphasize the subject and action for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to acknowledge" functions as a verb phrase expressing a lack of recognition or acceptance. As shown by Ludwig, it highlights an omission or neglect on the part of the subject. Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to acknowledge" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of recognition or acceptance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for diverse writing contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and academic sources, suggesting its use in formal, analytical writing. When using "failed to acknowledge", clarity is key. As the examples from Ludwig show, ensure you clearly specify what was not acknowledged. Alternatives include "did not recognize" or "ignored", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not recognize

Replaces "failed to" with the more direct "did not", simplifying the sentence structure.

neglected to mention

Substitutes "acknowledge" with "mention", suggesting an oversight rather than a deliberate refusal.

overlooked

A more concise way of saying something was missed or not given due attention.

ignored

Implies a conscious decision to disregard something, adding a stronger sense of intent.

did not address

Focuses on the lack of engagement with an issue, rather than a lack of awareness.

dismissed

Suggests something was actively rejected or considered unimportant.

did not appreciate

Highlights a lack of understanding or valuing something.

refused to recognize

Emphasizes a deliberate unwillingness to accept or acknowledge something.

remained silent on

Indicates a lack of response or comment on a particular topic.

bypassed

Implies a deliberate act of avoiding the subject.

FAQs

What does "failed to acknowledge" mean?

It means someone did not recognize, accept, or respond to something that should have been noticed or addressed.

How can I use "failed to acknowledge" in a sentence?

For example, "The report "failed to acknowledge" the impact of climate change on local communities."

What are some alternatives to "failed to acknowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "did not recognize", "overlooked", or "ignored" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "failed to acknowledge" and "refused to acknowledge"?

"Failed to acknowledge" can imply oversight or neglect, while "refused to acknowledge" suggests a deliberate choice not to recognize something.