failed to inform

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to inform" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone did not provide another person with information they were responsible for providing. For example, "The lawyer failed to inform his client of the significant risks associated with the investment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Institute also failed to inform the Boston Licensing Board.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Senior staff and governors failed to inform students or parents of this serious concern.

The Guardian

It failed to inform listeners that the IEA has received funding from tobacco companies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Texas failed to inform families of health coverage available to a million children.

The New York Times

Hendricks would probably not have told Pettitte and failed to inform Clemens of the request.

The New York Times

Far worse, the adviser said, she failed to inform her ticketmate about her rogue diplomacy.

The New York Times

Fourteen out of 34 lenders failed to inform consumers about their complaints procedures.

The Guardian - Money

RAI – supposedly the Italian BBC – failed to inform the Italian public about the referendum.

The Guardian - Opinion

They failed to inform him of the strategy that led to his name being made public.

The Guardian

He also failed to inform MacLellan of what he had done.

The Guardian

He sometimes failed to inform Moscow faithfully about British policy-makers' thinking.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to inform" to clearly indicate a lack of communication where there was an expectation or duty to provide information. It often implies negligence or a breach of responsibility.

Common error

While "failed to inform" is a correct phrase, overuse in casual conversations can sound overly formal or accusatory. In less formal situations, consider alternatives like "didn't tell" or "forgot to mention."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to inform" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a negative declarative, indicating a lack of action or omission in providing information. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to inform" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to indicate a lack of communication where there was an expectation or duty to provide information. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently found in news and academic contexts, carrying a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, be mindful of the implication of blame or negligence. Alternatives include "neglected to inform" or "did not disclose", depending on the specific context. The phrase signifies an omission with potential consequences, making it a strong choice for formal reporting and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to notify

Similar to "failed to inform" but emphasizes the lack of official notification.

neglected to inform

Emphasizes oversight or carelessness in not providing information.

omitted to mention

Highlights the act of leaving something out intentionally or unintentionally.

did not disclose

Focuses on the lack of transparency or revelation of information.

kept in the dark

Indicates that someone was intentionally not told about something.

held back information

Suggests a deliberate withholding of details.

did not advise

Focuses on not providing guidance or recommendations.

left uninformed

Highlights the state of being without knowledge.

remained silent about

Emphasizes the choice not to speak about something.

failed to communicate

Broader term indicating a lack of any form of communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to inform" to indicate that someone neglected to provide necessary information. For example, "The company "failed to inform" its customers about the potential risks".

What are some alternatives to "failed to inform"?

Alternatives include "neglected to inform", "omitted to mention", or "did not disclose". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "failed to notify" or "failed to inform"?

"Failed to notify" is often used when there's a formal requirement or procedure for providing information, while "failed to inform" is a more general term for not providing information.

What's the difference between "failed to inform" and "forgot to inform"?

"Failed to inform" suggests a neglect of duty or responsibility, while "forgot to inform" indicates an unintentional oversight. The former often carries a stronger connotation of blame.