failed to discharge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to discharge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something did not fulfill a duty, obligation, or responsibility. Example: "The company failed to discharge its responsibilities regarding employee safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"We have failed to discharge our duties to our slaves," he charged.

The New York Times

For Greece, the state of entry for most of those who seek asylum in Europe, this leads to onerous obligations, which the troubled state has failed to discharge.

The Guardian - Opinion

We conclude that the plaintiff has failed to discharge the burden of proving that the negligence of the defendant was a cause in fact of the tragic death.

Harvard University

A dual-chamber temporary pacemaker generator was turned on but failed to discharge; instead, an obscure error message appeared on the liquid crystal display of the pacemaker.

Chest

Lazard "failed to discharge fully its responsibilities," the panel said, but added that "the primary responsibility in respect of the Somerdale statements lay with Kraft".

The New York Times

If you still feel the council has failed to discharge its legal responsibilities, and you've exhausted the council's complaints procedures, you could refer the matter to the ombudsman.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

A missed abortion occurs when the fetus dies and the uterus fails to discharge it.

Harvard University

When Moore's gun fails to discharge, she thinks fast and throws the bullets at him instead.

The New York Times

Respondents next point to regulations which, they say, impose a range of penalties on nursing homes that fail to discharge or transfer patients whose continued stay is inappropriate.

Cornell University

Until one of the parties manages to repeat this trick the federal government will often fail to discharge what seemed until recently to be basic functions.

The Economist

Verdict: Life Imprisonment/Only reduced to 30 years confinement at hard labor by recommendation of Lt. Col. Allan R. Browne, JAGD because he felt that the accused did wilfully withhold treatment and fail to discharge his duties as medical officer.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to discharge", ensure the context clearly identifies the specific duty, responsibility, or obligation that was not fulfilled.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to discharge" without clearly specifying what responsibility was not met. Ambiguity weakens the statement and reduces its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to discharge" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a failure to fulfill a responsibility, duty, or obligation. Ludwig shows examples where this phrase is used in legal, business, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

33%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to discharge" is a versatile verb phrase used to express the non-fulfillment of duties, responsibilities, or obligations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in reputable sources across news, academia, and science. Its communicative purpose is to pinpoint a failure or deficiency, and its register ranges from neutral to professional. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the precise duty that was not met. Alternatives like "neglected to fulfill" or "omitted to perform" can add nuance, but "failed to discharge" remains a strong and direct way to highlight unmet obligations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglected to fulfill

Emphasizes the act of neglecting a responsibility, adding a layer of carelessness.

omitted to perform

Highlights the act of omitting or excluding a required action.

did not execute

Focuses on the lack of execution or completion of a task.

fell short of accomplishing

Suggests a failure to reach a specific goal or achievement.

was derelict in duty

Implies a serious neglect of one's responsibilities, often in a formal setting.

did not carry out

Focuses on the lack of implementation or execution.

neglected their obligations

Highlights a neglect in fulfilling responsibilities.

was remiss in fulfilling

Implies carelessness or negligence in carrying out a task.

defaulted on their responsibilities

Highlights the failure to meet a requirement or expectation.

failed in their obligations

Emphasizes a failure to adhere to a commitment.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to discharge" to indicate a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility. For example, "The company "failed to discharge" its obligations to its employees."

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

Alternatives include "neglected to fulfill", "omitted to perform", or "did not execute", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "failed to discharge their duties"?

Yes, "failed to discharge their duties" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a situation where someone did not fulfill their responsibilities.

What's the difference between "failed to discharge" and "neglected to fulfill"?

"Failed to discharge" generally indicates a lack of fulfillment, while ""neglected to fulfill"" suggests a degree of carelessness or oversight in not meeting the obligation.