failed to curb

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to curb" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing an inability to control, limit, or reduce something, such as behavior, trends, or issues. Example: "The new regulations failed to curb the rising levels of pollution in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He failed to curb public spending.

The Economist

But the president has failed to curb rampant corruption.

The Economist

In the past, however, voluntary modifications have failed to curb the rise in foreclosures.

The New York Times

The F.E.R.C. has failed to curb these natural gas prices as well.

The New York Times

It has good potential cashflows but has failed to curb costs.TCI's clarion-call has been applauded by some shareholders.

The Economist

On May 13th they threatened to block roads into all major cities if the government failed to curb the violence.

The Economist

Progress does not help: rising prosperity, public-education campaigns and strict-looking laws have all failed to curb the practice.

The Economist

The MP said: "These figures show that David Cameron has completely failed to curb spending on housing benefit.

The Guardian

The country cheated its way into the euro in 2001 by fiddling its statistics, and failed to curb its budget shortfall in the boom years.

The New York Times

The Assad government expressed similar support for peace proposals made by the previous envoy, Kofi Annan, but failed to curb its military campaign to wipe out the opposition.

The New York Times

When those efforts failed to curb the Taliban's fierce 2015 offensive or to produce any effective peace process, confidence in the government plummeted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to curb", ensure that the context clearly indicates what efforts were made or expected to be made in order to control or limit the action or trend being discussed. This adds clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to curb" when minor progress was achieved. The phrase implies a complete lack of success in controlling something, so use it when there's little to no positive outcome from the attempted actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to curb" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It describes the lack of success in controlling or limiting something. It is often followed by a noun phrase specifying what could not be controlled.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to curb" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate an inability to control or limit something. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, media and encyclopedic sources. While applicable in various contexts, it's essential to ensure that the phrase accurately reflects a lack of success, avoiding its use when there's partial or minor progress. Alternatives like "did not manage to restrain" or "was unable to control" can be employed to add nuance. Overall, "failed to curb" effectively communicates a lack of control or limitation in a neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not manage to restrain

Emphasizes the lack of success in holding something back.

was unable to control

Focuses on the inability to exercise command or influence.

did not succeed in limiting

Highlights the lack of achievement in setting boundaries.

proved incapable of checking

Stresses the lack of capacity to stop or slow down.

could not contain

Focuses on an inability to keep something within certain bounds.

was unsuccessful in suppressing

Emphasizes the lack of success in preventing something from manifesting.

did not effectively manage

Highlights the lack of efficient handling or direction.

fell short of restraining

Indicates a failure to reach the goal of holding something back.

lacked the capacity to regulate

Focuses on the absence of the power to govern or direct.

was deficient in restricting

Stresses the inadequacy in limiting or confining something.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to curb" to describe situations where efforts to control or limit something were unsuccessful. For example, "The government "failed to curb" inflation despite several policy changes."

What are some alternatives to "failed to curb"?

Alternatives include "did not manage to restrain", "was unable to control", or "did not succeed in limiting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "failed to curb" or "failed at curbing"?

"Failed to curb" is generally preferred and more common. "Failed at curbing" is grammatically correct but less frequently used.

What's the difference between ""failed to curb"" and "neglected to address"?

"Failed to curb" implies an attempt was made to control something but was unsuccessful. "Neglected to address" suggests there was a lack of attention or action taken in the first place.