failed to apply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to apply" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone did not implement or utilize something as intended or required. Example: "The team failed to apply the new procedures during the project, leading to several errors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He has consistently failed to apply himself.

The New York Times

Pacheco narrowly failed to apply the decisive touch.

The Guardian - Sport

The driver apparently failed to apply his brakes.

The Economist

The owner had failed to apply for a new variance.

The New York Times

Little wonder that Mr. Ebner had tried but failed to apply his brand of medicine.

The New York Times

It appeared that Northampton failed to apply the most basic, most important rule of concussion.

The Guardian - Sport

Anybody who failed to apply for amnesty by September's deadline can still be prosecuted.

The Economist

Our answer is that the E.U. failed to apply the rules uniformly.

The Washington Post

"UCI failed to apply its own rules," states CIRC, "… sending the message rules applied differently to some athletes".

The Guardian - Sport

The watchdog said DfID failed to apply its own research and guidance on how trade can impact on the poor.

The Guardian

Ofcom said that ITV "added" to the young girl's distress and failed to apply "generally accepted standards of broadcasting".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to apply", ensure that the context clearly indicates what should have been applied and the consequences of not doing so.

Common error

Avoid overuse in passive constructions that obscure who "failed to apply" something. Instead of saying "The rule failed to be applied", specify who failed to apply the rule for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to apply" functions as a verb phrase, typically indicating a lack of implementation, utilization, or adherence to a specific rule, principle, or method. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and frequently used. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use across various domains to express a missed or neglected action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to apply" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to denote a lack of implementation or execution. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct. It sees frequent use in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what was not applied and the consequences of its omission. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "failed to apply" into your writing to convey criticism, highlight shortcomings, or explain negative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not implement

Simply states the absence of implementation.

neglected to implement

Focuses on a lack of attention or care in carrying out the implementation.

neglected to use

Highlights lack of use due to carelessness or forgetfulness.

omitted to utilize

Emphasizes the act of leaving something out or not using it when it should have been used.

did not execute

Highlights the lack of carrying out or performing a task or plan.

did not put into practice

Emphasizes the absence of practical application.

declined to utilize

Indicates a deliberate refusal to use something.

refrained from applying

Focuses on deliberately holding back from applying something.

was unable to implement

Highlights the inability to carry out the implementation.

shirked the application of

Indicates an avoidance or shirking of the responsibility to apply something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "failed to apply"?

You can use alternatives like "did not implement", "neglected to use", or "omitted to utilize" depending on the context.

How to use "failed to apply" in a sentence?

Use "failed to apply" to indicate a lack of implementation or execution of a rule, principle, or skill. For example, "The company failed to apply the new safety regulations, leading to several accidents."

Which is correct, "failed to apply" or "failed applying"?

"Failed to apply" is the correct form when indicating a failure to implement or use something. "Failed applying" would be grammatically incorrect in most contexts.

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

"Failed to apply" suggests negligence or omission, while "unable to apply" implies a lack of capability or resources to do so. The first indicates fault, the second indicates incapacity.