failed to adhere to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to adhere to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing non-compliance with rules, guidelines, or standards. Example: "The company failed to adhere to the safety regulations set forth by the government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

"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

Ms. Nappier sued Forstmann Little and the founder, Theodore J. Forstmann, in 2002 on accusations that they failed to adhere to an investment contract.

The New York Times

Every member of our society deserves to have his or her civil rights respected, and Westchester County has failed to adhere to this ideal".

The New York Times

After the UN fact-finding mission which followed the 2008-09 Operation Cast Lead conflict, the international community failed to adhere to its recommendations in any meaningful way.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, churches that failed to adhere to the covenant would lose the right to full participation in doctrinal decision making within the Communion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Then, in early July, Judge Patterson found that the city had "repeatedly failed to adhere" to court orders pertaining to the provision of evidence in the discovery process.

The New York Times

A malpractice claim is more likely to have some momentum because Autonomy can simply claim that Deloitte failed to adhere to appropriate auditing standards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to adhere to", ensure that the specific rule, guideline, or standard being violated is clearly identified to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to adhere to" without specifying what was not adhered to. Saying "the company failed to adhere to standards" is less effective than "the company failed to adhere to ISO 9001 standards".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to adhere to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to comply with or follow a specific rule, standard, or guideline. Ludwig AI confirms this as grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to adhere to" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that indicates a lack of compliance with a specific rule, guideline, or standard. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its validity and usability in various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific sources and is considered to have a neutral register. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify what standard was not adhered to in order to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "did not comply with" or "did not follow" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not comply with

Directly indicates non-compliance, emphasizing a lack of adherence to a specific rule or standard.

did not abide by

Suggests a disregard or rejection of established guidelines or agreements.

did not follow

Implies a lack of adherence to instructions, procedures, or a prescribed path.

neglected to observe

Highlights an oversight or intentional disregard of a duty or obligation.

violated

Indicates a breach of rules, laws, or principles, often with legal or ethical implications.

transgressed against

Suggests a more serious or formal violation, often in a moral or ethical context.

contravened

Implies a direct contradiction or opposition to a law, regulation, or principle.

fell short of

Indicates a failure to meet the required standard or expectation.

was remiss in

Highlights a negligent failure to fulfill a responsibility or duty.

shirked

Suggests an intentional avoidance of a duty or responsibility, often due to laziness or unwillingness.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to adhere to" to indicate a lack of compliance with rules, guidelines, or standards. For example, "The company "failed to adhere to" safety regulations."

What are some alternatives to "failed to adhere to"?

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

Is "failed to adhere to" formal or informal?

"Failed to adhere to" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts.

What's the difference between "failed to adhere to" and "did not follow"?

"Failed to adhere to" is more formal and suggests a stricter standard of compliance than "did not follow", which can imply a simpler lack of adherence to instructions.