failed to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to identify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing instances where someone or something was unable to recognize or determine a particular subject or issue. Example: "The investigation failed to identify the source of the problem, leaving the team at a standstill."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet we have failed to identify the cause – ever more extreme liberalism.

The Guardian

I spent several minutes feeling destabilised after I failed to identify Portia.

The Guardian - Opinion

So far Russian prosecutors have failed to identify who ordered her murder.

The Guardian

That experiment failed to identify any criminals Tampa police had wanted to find.

The New York Times

But during the investigation, Mr. Wilkinson failed to identify Captain Sanchez in an array of photographs.

The New York Times

But Sumption failed to identify one of the prime causal factors: institutional sexism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Investigations by media outlets actually failed to identify any members at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Initial investigation was again deficient and failed to identify manifest problems".

The Guardian

She failed to identify Twelfth Night as the play which features Sir Toby Belch.

The Guardian

Mr. Beckett said that approach failed to identify trends among populations.

The New York Times

All were acquitted and investigators have failed to identify the mastermind behind her murder.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to identify", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was expected to identify and why the failure is significant. For example: "The study failed to identify any correlation between diet and the disease, despite extensive research."

Common error

Avoid using "failed to identify" without specifying who failed. Be precise: instead of "The system failed to identify", specify "The security system failed to identify the intruder".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to identify" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of success in recognizing or determining something. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to identify" is a versatile verb phrase denoting an inability to recognize or ascertain something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across scientific, news, and formal contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding who failed and what they were supposed to identify. Alternatives such as "was unable to identify" or "did not detect" can be used depending on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unable to identify

Replaces "failed" with "was unable", maintaining the core meaning of an inability to identify.

did not detect

Focuses on the lack of detection rather than identification, slightly altering the context.

could not recognize

Substitutes "identify" with "recognize", emphasizing a lack of familiarity.

did not ascertain

Replaces "identify" with "ascertain", suggesting a failure to determine something definitively.

were unable to ascertain

Combines "was unable" with "ascertain", indicating an inability to confirm something.

missed identifying

Highlights the act of overlooking or missing the identification.

were unsuccessful in identifying

More formal phrasing, emphasizing the lack of success in the identification process.

overlooked identifying

Implies a negligent failure to identify, suggesting a lack of attention.

proved unable to identify

Suggests that an attempt to identify was made but proved unsuccessful.

neglected to identify

Similar to "overlooked", but carries a stronger connotation of carelessness.

FAQs

What does "failed to identify" mean?

The phrase "failed to identify" means that someone or something was unable to recognize, ascertain, or determine a specific item, cause, or issue.

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

You can use "failed to identify" to describe situations where a person, system, or process was unsuccessful in recognizing something. For example: "The researchers "failed to identify" the source of the contamination."

What are some alternatives to "failed to identify"?

Alternatives include "was unable to identify", "did not detect", or "could not recognize". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "failed to identify" or "unable to identify"?

"Failed to identify" and "unable to identify" are often interchangeable. However, "failed to identify" might suggest a process or expectation wasn't met, while "unable to identify" simply indicates a lack of capability. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.