failed to adhere

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to adhere" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing instances where someone or something did not follow rules, guidelines, or standards. Example: "The company failed to adhere to the safety regulations set forth by the government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Four participants failed to adhere to the imagery conditions, and their data was excluded from analysis.

Brain and Cognition

In addition, the educational interventions tested were generally poorly described, and failed to adhere to theoretical models.

Patient Education and Counseling

In the past, the panel notes, the U.S. government has too often failed to adhere to this principle.

The New Yorker

Slaughter denies this and says Lynn failed to "adhere to New America's standards of openness and institutional collegiality".

The Times

JPMorgan Chase failed to adhere to the prescribed timeline for reviewing loan modification requests and notifying customers of its decision.

The New York Times

When compared to platelets from wild-type littermates, platelets from α2-null mice failed to adhere to type I collagen under either static or shear-stress conditions.

The American Journal of Pathology

Stromal cells failed to adhere to the scaffold in serum-free conditions, but laminin pre-coating of the scaffold prevented serum adsorption and promoted cell attachment and differentiation.

Biomaterials

Children's cheating behavior was measured by examining whether children failed to adhere to the game rules by falsely reporting their accuracy.

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology

"In those instances where abuse occurred, individuals failed to adhere to basic standards of discipline, training or Army values," the report found.

The New York Times

So I am reverting to a long-held thesis, which I failed to adhere to last week: never back really terrible football teams on the road.

The Guardian - Sport

The committee has called for a fast-track procedure introduced to suspend credit licences where businesses have failed to adhere to the rules.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to adhere", ensure the context clearly specifies what rules, standards, or guidelines were not followed. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to adhere" without clearly stating the specific standard or rule that was violated. Vague usage weakens the statement and lacks precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to adhere" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of compliance or a failure to follow established rules, guidelines, or standards. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across various contexts, emphasizing the act of not conforming to expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "failed to adhere" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, particularly in news and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase signifies a lack of compliance with rules, guidelines, or standards. For alternatives, consider using "did not comply with", "did not follow", or "did not abide by". When using the phrase, ensure you clearly specify what was not adhered to for maximum impact. Be mindful of vague usage that weakens the statement's clarity. With its widespread applicability and clear meaning, "failed to adhere" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not comply with

Emphasizes a lack of compliance with rules or regulations.

did not abide by

Indicates a failure to comply with or respect a rule or decision.

did not follow

A more general term indicating a lack of adherence to instructions or guidelines.

did not observe

Highlights a failure to respect or abide by a rule or custom.

did not respect

Indicates a disregard for established protocols or agreements.

did not meet

Focuses on the failure to satisfy a requirement or standard.

did not fulfill

Highlights the failure to satisfy a condition or expectation.

did not uphold

Suggests a failure to maintain or support an agreement or principle.

did not stick to

Implies a deviation from a planned course of action or set of rules.

transgressed against

Signifies a violation of a moral or legal boundary.

FAQs

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

Use "failed to adhere" to indicate a lack of compliance with a rule, standard, or guideline. For example, "The company "failed to adhere" to safety regulations."

What are some alternatives to "failed to adhere"?

Alternatives include "did not comply with", "did not follow", or "did not abide by", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "did not adhere to" or "failed to adhere to"?

Both "did not adhere to" and "failed to adhere to" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context.

What is the difference between "failed to adhere" and "violated"?

"Failed to adhere" suggests a lack of compliance, while "violated" implies a more active or deliberate breach of a rule or law. "Violated" carries a stronger connotation of wrongdoing.