failed to exercise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to exercise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of action or neglecting to perform a specific duty or responsibility. Example: "The committee failed to exercise its authority in addressing the issue at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He failed to exercise due caution".

The New York Times

William Umbach, failed to "exercise leadership," officials said.

The New York Times

Your position is that Reauget failed to exercise adequate care in bottling the product.

Harvard University

Respective parliaments have, I suggest, failed to exercise their traditional self-restraint in protecting democratic rights.

The Guardian

And that is the power institutional shareholders have failed to exercise.

Harvard Business Review

Critics have said that HUD failed to exercise proper oversight of the homeownership program involved in the scandal.

The New York Times

One is that Mr. Tenet failed to exercise the proper skepticism about what capabilities Saddam Hussein had in hand.

The New York Times

In the past, Congress has failed to exercise its constitu tional responsibility to pass judgment on the war.

The New York Times

This Court held that the Board had failed to exercise its discretion though required to do so by the Attorney General's regulations.

Cornell University

We do not rely on the principle that our review is not precluded when the state court has failed to exercise discretion to disregard the procedural default.

Cornell University

Unlike the allegations in this case, the defendants in AIG allegedly failed to exercise reasonable oversight over pervasive fraudulent and criminal conduct.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. If you mean there was no possibility to use it, maybe it is more appropriate to use "couldn't exercise" instead of "failed to exercise".

Common error

Avoid using "failed to exercise" without specifying the area or ability in which the failure occurred. For example, instead of saying "The manager failed to exercise", specify "The manager failed to exercise proper oversight".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to exercise" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of action, omission, or inability to utilize a specific capacity or fulfill a responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to exercise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a lack of action, omission, or inability to utilize a specific capacity or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, the phrase serves to assign blame, express criticism, or highlight deficiencies. For more neutral alternatives, consider options like "did not implement" or "neglected to utilize". It's crucial to provide specific context to clarify the failure to prevent overgeneralization and ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglected to utilize

Emphasizes the negligence in not making use of something available.

did not implement

Focuses on the lack of execution or putting something into effect.

omitted to perform

Highlights the act of leaving out or excluding a required action.

did not carry out

Stresses the failure to complete or execute a task or responsibility.

fell short of using

Indicates a deficiency in the application or employment of something.

missed the opportunity to apply

Highlights the loss of a chance to use something effectively.

abstained from applying

Focuses on the voluntary choice not to use or implement something.

passed up the chance to wield

Indicates a missed opportunity to exert influence or control.

refrained from exerting

Emphasizes the deliberate holding back from applying effort or force.

failed to capitalize on

Highlights the inability to take advantage of a situation or resource.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to exercise" to indicate a lack of action or negligence in performing a duty. For example, "The committee "failed to exercise" its authority in addressing the issue."

What are some alternatives to "failed to exercise"?

Alternatives include "neglected to utilize", "did not implement", or "omitted to perform", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "didn't exercise" or "failed to exercise"?

"Failed to exercise" implies a responsibility or expectation that was not met, whereas "didn't exercise" is a more neutral statement of non-action. The better choice depends on the intended nuance.

What does it mean when someone "failed to exercise due diligence"?

It means they "failed to exercise" the care that a reasonable person would take to avoid harm to others. In legal contexts, it can indicate negligence or a breach of duty.