failed to manage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to manage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone was unable to effectively oversee or control a task, project, or situation. Example: "The project was delayed because the team failed to manage their time effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Items like "Taking insulin means I have failed to manage my diabetes with diet and tablets" or "Managing insulin injections takes a lot of time and energy" are examples representing a negative attitude towards insulin therapy.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

He has failed to manage the city.

The New York Times

The NHS has failed to manage decommissioning effectively.

The Guardian

It had failed to manage exceptional water levels at the dams up in northern Thailand.

The New York Times

"The BBC have failed to manage one of the best talents on TV," said Edmonds.

The Guardian

Successive governments have vacated the commanding heights and have failed to manage the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

The wave of populist governments failed to manage wisely the commodities windfall they enjoyed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Political leaders, who have failed to manage the negative impacts of globalisation and the "new economy"?

The Guardian - Opinion

Also 73% of Israelis said Binyamin Netanyahu had failed to manage the conflict with the Palestinians.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bankers and traders have been rewarded for taking risks that Wall Street clearly failed to manage.

The New York Times

BT are repeat offenders – having failed to manage their roadworks properly on a number of occasions.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to manage", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not properly managed and the consequences of that failure. For instance, specify whether it was a project, resources, or a team.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to manage" in overly passive constructions that obscure who was responsible for the failure. Instead of saying "The situation failed to be managed", specify who "failed to manage" the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to manage" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the inability or lack of success in handling, controlling, or directing something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to manage" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a lack of success in handling or controlling a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is commonly found in news, media, science, and academic sources, serving to express criticism or explain negative outcomes. While generally neutral in tone, awareness of the context is important to avoid overly passive constructions. Alternatives like ""was unable to handle"" or ""did not succeed in controlling"" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unable to handle

Focuses on the lack of capability to deal with something, rather than a failure in the attempt.

did not succeed in controlling

Emphasizes the lack of success in maintaining control over a situation or resource.

prove incapable of governing

Implies an inherent lack of ability to govern or direct something effectively.

neglected to oversee

Suggests a lack of attention or care in supervising something, leading to failure.

fell short of directing

Highlights the failure to adequately guide or steer something towards a desired outcome.

was deficient in administering

Points to a lack of proficiency in the management or execution of a task.

lacked the skill to conduct

Focuses on a deficiency in the skill necessary to manage or conduct something appropriately.

could not regulate

Highlights the lack of ability to keep something under control.

was remiss in supervising

Indicates a negligence or carelessness in overseeing something, causing it to fail.

dropped the ball on leading

An idiomatic expression suggesting a failure to lead or guide something effectively, often due to a mistake or oversight.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to manage" to describe a situation where someone or something was unable to effectively oversee or control a task, project, or situation. For example, "The government "failed to manage" the economic crisis effectively".

What are some alternatives to "failed to manage"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was unable to handle", "did not succeed in controlling", or "neglected to oversee", depending on the specific context.

Is "failed to manage" formal or informal?

"Failed to manage" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language and the specific situation will influence the overall tone. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "was deficient in administering".

What's the difference between "failed to manage" and "unable to manage"?

"Failed to manage" implies that an attempt was made but was unsuccessful, while "unable to manage" suggests a lack of capacity or capability from the outset. In short, the former implies a lack of success while the latter implies a lack of ability.