failed to agree

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to agree" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It implies that two or more people could not come to a mutual agreement. Example: The two sides failed to agree on a resolution to the dispute.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The summit failed to agree meaningful action.

Independent

On cause they failed to agree.

The New York Times

But they failed to agree on any binding emission targets.

The New York Times - Science

But the two sides failed to agree about aid.

The Economist

But, not for the first time, they failed to agree.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 1995, the department failed to agree on an appointment in paleoanthropology.

Stanford University

Historians have failed to agree on why after the eleventh century, the population soared.

Stanford University

The firms have talked but failed to agree in the past.Meanwhile the LSE's fate remains unclear.

The Economist

Yet the political opposition is divided and has failed to agree on a single, inspiring candidate.

The Economist

"However, the negotiations have failed to agree on a new rent price".

The New York Times

He has so far failed to agree terms on an extended deal.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to agree", ensure it's clear who failed to agree and on what to provide a complete picture of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using singular verbs with plural subjects when using "failed to agree". For example, it's incorrect to say "The parties has failed to agree". The correct form is "The parties have failed to agree".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to agree" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of consensus or accord between parties. It's commonly used to report on situations where negotiations, discussions, or attempts at reaching an agreement were unsuccessful. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is indeed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to agree" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a lack of consensus following an attempt at agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. It commonly appears in News & Media, Academia and encyclopedias sources, indicating a neutral formality level. For alternative phrasing, consider "could not reach a consensus", "were unable to concur", or simply "disagreed". When using "failed to agree", ensure the subjects and objects are clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disagreed

A simpler, more direct way of stating a lack of agreement.

could not reach a consensus

Emphasizes the lack of a unified opinion after discussion.

were unable to concur

Highlights the inability to share the same opinion or judgment.

did not come to an understanding

Focuses on the absence of mutual comprehension and agreement.

did not see eye to eye

An idiomatic expression indicating a fundamental difference in opinion.

were at odds

Suggests a state of disagreement or conflict.

remained divided

Indicates a persistent lack of unity in opinion.

deadlocked on

Implies a standstill in negotiations or discussions.

couldn't find common ground

Stresses the inability to discover shared interests or beliefs.

fell apart on agreement

Focus on the failing of the agreement

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to agree" to indicate a lack of consensus. For example: "The negotiators "failed to agree" on the terms of the treaty."

What are some alternatives to "failed to agree"?

Alternatives include "disagreed", "could not reach a consensus", or "were unable to concur", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "failed to agree" or "disagreed"?

"Failed to agree" often implies a more formal setting, such as negotiations or discussions, whereas "disagreed" is a more general term applicable in various contexts.

What's the difference between "failed to agree" and "unable to agree"?

"Failed to agree" suggests an attempt was made but was unsuccessful, whereas "unable to agree" might indicate that an attempt was never made or that there was an inherent obstacle preventing agreement. The phrase "unable to agree" focus on the inability of agreement.