failed to contradict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to contradict" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone did not provide a counterargument or opposing statement to a claim or assertion. Example: "Despite the accusations, the evidence presented failed to contradict the defendant's alibi."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Several failed to contradict him.

The Economist

I bridled on his behalf when Gordon Brown called him a "lightweight" and Tony Blair failed to contradict him as they argued over the succession on the day of the September coup in 2006.

Independent

I even failed to contradict him when he insisted that Issie had died of cancer, though like everyone, I knew that, months before, she had thrown herself off a flyover, smashing her ankles, and condemning herself to a life of (oh, horror!) flat shoes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Faneuil had told substantially the same story, and defense attorneys were disappointed that Gutman failed to contradict him.

Forbes

She feels stricken and powerless after this, but above all betrayed; not only by Sally, who was not there for her, but "by all the women who ever failed to contradict the romantic mythology of love and sex".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Not only did Massey fail to contradict Hillary's testimony; any tighter fit between their recollections would have been suspect".

The New York Times - Books

Of course, Appleinsider also covered these findings, but failed to note that they contradict the Munster math laid out in the earlier post.

TechCrunch

The DPP and the police said they had been unable to track down the alleged victim and had failed to find evidence which contradicted the account given by the SIS operative.

Independent

In a blow to prosecutors, a police investigator said he failed to mention a witness who contradicts elements of the murder case against Scott Peterson.

The New York Times

But these associations have shown no consistency among different ethnic groups [ 1]; nearly every positive result has been followed by several studies that have failed to replicate it or that have contradicted it [ 7].

BioMed Research International

These findings contradict earlier studies that failed to find a link between DC tap water and children's blood lead levels greater than 10 μg/dL.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to contradict" to indicate a lack of opposition or rebuttal, especially when someone had an opportunity or expectation to disagree. For example, "The witness failed to contradict the defendant's account."

Common error

Avoid using "failed to contradict" when there was no reasonable expectation for someone to disagree or offer an opposing viewpoint. Using it in such contexts can sound unnatural or forced. Instead, use more neutral language like 'did not comment' or 'remained silent'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to contradict" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a situation where an individual or entity had the opportunity or reason to present an opposing viewpoint or evidence, but did not do so. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to contradict" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate a lack of opposition to a claim or statement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media, and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While there are several alternatives like "did not dispute" or "did not challenge", "failed to contradict" carries a specific implication of an expected or available opportunity for rebuttal. When using this phrase, ensure the context implies a reasonable expectation of disagreement to avoid sounding unnatural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not dispute

This alternative focuses on the lack of a formal disagreement or challenge.

did not challenge

This emphasizes the absence of a direct challenge to a statement or claim.

did not contest

This highlights the absence of active opposition or disagreement.

did not deny

This highlights the lack of a specific denial of a fact or accusation.

did not refute

This implies a failure to provide evidence or arguments against something.

did not rebut

This suggests an absence of a response intended to disprove or counter an argument.

did not object to

This shows a lack of formal opposition to a proposal or statement.

did not gainsay

This signifies a lack of contradiction or opposition, often in a formal context.

did not disaffirm

This underlines the absence of a retraction or denial of a previous statement.

acquiesced to

This indicates acceptance or agreement through silence or lack of opposition.

FAQs

What does "failed to contradict" mean?

The phrase "failed to contradict" means that someone did not offer an opposing statement or evidence against a claim or assertion. It implies an absence of disagreement or rebuttal.

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

You can use "failed to contradict" to describe a situation where someone had the opportunity to disagree but did not. For example, 'The board members "did not dispute" the CEO's proposal, and the motion passed unanimously'.

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

Alternatives to "failed to contradict" include "did not deny", "did not refute", or "did not challenge", depending on the specific context.

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

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "failed to contradict" implies a stronger expectation or opportunity for disagreement. "Did not contradict" is a more neutral statement of fact.