failed to comply

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to comply" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone has failed to do something they were supposed to do, especially when referring to a law, rule, or agreement. For example, "The company failed to comply with the new regulation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Mr. Lukashenko failed to comply.

The New York Times

willfully failed to comply with any such court order.

Cornell University

I conclude he has deliberately failed to comply".

Independent

She said they were fined when they failed to comply.

The New York Times

If Iraq failed to comply, then the war would resume.

The Guardian

When he failed to comply, Armstrong was shown the exit.

The Guardian - Music

None of the invited clubs failed to comply".

The Guardian - Sport

If they failed to comply, they could be overridden.

The Guardian

Many such projects failed to comply with the fire safety codes at present.

Procedia Engineering

has otherwise failed to comply with the provisions of, or the regulations issued under, this title.

Cornell University

In 2012, a lower court determined Datalink failed to comply with the order and issued another.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to comply", specify the exact rule, law, or standard that was not followed to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to comply" without clearly stating what specific regulation or requirement was not met. Vague statements can weaken your argument and lack precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to comply" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a failure to meet a specific requirement or standard. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It commonly appears in contexts where rules, regulations, or agreements are not followed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to comply" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates a lack of adherence to rules, regulations, or agreements. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is usable in written English, especially when referring to a law, rule, or agreement. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. To use the phrase effectively, specify the exact rule or standard that was violated to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include phrases like "did not adhere to" and "violated the regulations". Keep in mind that "failed to comply" suggests a lack of adherence, while "refused to comply" implies a deliberate choice of not following a rule.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

violated the regulations

Directly states a violation of official regulations or rules.

did not adhere to

Emphasizes a lack of adherence to specific guidelines or instructions.

contravened the rules

Suggests an action that is in direct opposition to established rules.

did not conform to

Highlights a lack of conformity with established standards or norms.

acted in breach of

Highlights a breach or violation of an agreement or law.

did not observe

Focuses on a failure to observe or follow prescribed practices.

disregarded the requirements

Emphasizes the act of ignoring or dismissing necessary requirements.

neglected to follow

Indicates a failure to follow instructions or procedures due to neglect.

defaulted on the obligation

Focuses on the failure to fulfill a specific obligation or duty.

fell short of expectations

Expresses that performance or actions did not meet the required standards.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to comply" to indicate a lack of adherence to rules, regulations, or agreements. For example, "The company "failed to comply" with the new environmental regulations."

What are some alternatives to saying "failed to comply"?

Alternatives include phrases like "did not adhere to", "violated the regulations", or "acted in breach of", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "failed to comply" and "refused to comply"?

"Failed to comply" suggests a lack of adherence, which could be unintentional. "Refused to comply" implies a deliberate choice not to follow a rule or directive.

Is "failed to comply with" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The preposition "with" is typically used after "comply" to specify what is being complied with, as in "failed to comply with the terms of the agreement".