failed to check

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to check" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to show that someone did not perform an action or task successfully. Here is an example: "The company failed to check the quality of their products before selling them to customers, resulting in numerous complaints and returns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I had failed to check the head CT!

The New York Times

Many people failed to check the woman's name.

The New York Times

Authorities were alerted when he failed to check in.

Independent

"He has failed to check his facts," he said.

The Guardian

"He has failed to check his facts," Hague said.

The Guardian

Unfortunately they failed to check the markings on the plane depicted.

The Economist

Marcelo cynically took out Morata yet Tevez scuttled on and Carvajal abjectly failed to check him.

The Guardian - Sport

His history and biography failed to check the anger at the Diggi Palace.

The New Yorker

Any child whom workers had failed to check up on will be visited, he said.

The New York Times

Earlier reported cease-fire agreements between the two have failed to check the confrontations, however.

The New York Times

But Colley just warned Hall as to his future conduct and failed to check further.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to check", ensure the context clearly indicates what should have been checked. For example, "The inspector failed to check the brakes" is more informative than "The inspector failed to check."

Common error

Avoid using "failed to check" without specifying the object of the check. Vague statements can lead to ambiguity and weaken the message. Always specify what the subject failed to check.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to check" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of action, specifically the omission of a verification or inspection process. Ludwig's examples show its usage in various contexts, from medical negligence to procedural oversights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to check" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate the omission of a verification or inspection. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various domains, notably News & Media, Encyclopedias and Science. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies what should have been checked to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternative phrases like "neglected to verify" or "omitted to inspect" to add nuance to your writing. Understanding the function, purpose, and register helps in employing "failed to check" effectively in different communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to validate

Is directly synonymous, simply using 'validate' instead of 'check'.

neglected to verify

Focuses on the neglect aspect, highlighting a lack of diligence in confirming information.

missed confirming

Indicates that confirming something was missed or forgotten.

omitted to inspect

Emphasizes the omission of a physical or procedural inspection.

overlooked verifying

Highlights that the act of verifying was unintentionally missed.

didn't bother to validate

Suggests a lack of concern or effort in confirming the validity of something.

forgot to validate

Highlights the act of forgetting the step of validation.

didn't scrutinize

Focuses on the absence of close and critical examination.

avoided to scrutinize

Highlights the act of avoiding the step of scrutinizing.

left unexamined

Emphasizes that something was not examined or investigated.

FAQs

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

Use "failed to check" to indicate a lack of verification or inspection, for example: "The auditor "failed to check" the financial records thoroughly."

What is a good substitute for "failed to check"?

Alternatives include "neglected to verify", "omitted to inspect", or "missed confirming", depending on the specific context.

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

"Failed to check" implies a duty or expectation that was not met, while "did not check" is a more neutral statement of fact. The choice depends on the intended emphasis.

What does it mean when someone "failed to check"?

It signifies that someone neglected or omitted to perform an expected or necessary verification, inspection, or confirmation process.