failed to notice

USAGE SUMMARY

'failed to notice' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a situation in which someone or something was not paying attention to their surroundings or not aware of something that was happening. For example, "Tom failed to notice the dog crossing the road and almost hit it with his car."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The receptionist failed to notice.

The New Yorker

She was emotionally battered and I had failed to notice.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It failed to notice the clapped out economic infrastructure.

The Guardian - Opinion

Busy munching on a cookie, he failed to notice her.

The New York Times - Style

Litvinenko failed to notice, or was otherwise distracted.

The Guardian - Books

Netizens have not failed to notice these inequalities.

The Guardian

"I'm not sure how I failed to notice it".

The Guardian - Travel

The missionaries of globalisation failed to notice its darker side.

The Guardian

West that we failed to notice just how fervid the division became down the stretch.

The New York Times

The bank had failed to notice that the previous owner had repaid the mortgage loan.

The New York Times

The boy was proud of the serial amputations, which his parents initially failed to notice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to notice" to highlight an oversight or lack of awareness, especially when emphasizing the consequences of that oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to notice" in every instance where something was missed. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "overlooked" or "missed" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to notice" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of awareness or observation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to describe situations where someone missed something, highlighting an oversight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to notice" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate a lack of awareness or observation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing situations where someone missed something important. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral register, making it versatile for different writing styles. Consider alternatives like "overlooked" or "missed" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing. Be mindful of overusing the phrase, and always ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning of oversight or lack of attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overlooked

Suggests something was missed unintentionally.

was unaware of

Highlights a lack of knowledge about something.

missed

A simple and direct way of saying something wasn't seen or noticed.

was oblivious to

Implies a state of being completely unaware.

didn't observe

Emphasizes a lack of active observation.

didn't detect

Focuses on a failure to identify or sense something.

paid no attention to

Indicates a deliberate lack of focus.

remained ignorant of

Stresses a continued lack of knowledge.

let slip by

Implies a passive failure to notice something important.

disregarded

Conveys a sense of actively ignoring something.

FAQs

What does "failed to notice" mean?

The phrase "failed to notice" means someone did not see, hear, feel, or otherwise become aware of something. It implies a lack of attention or observation.

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

You can use "failed to notice" to describe a situation where someone missed something important. For example, "The guard "failed to notice" the intruder sneaking in."

What are some alternatives to "failed to notice"?

Alternatives include "overlooked", "missed", "didn't observe", or "was unaware of", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "failed to notice" and "didn't notice"?

"Failed to notice" and "didn't notice" are largely interchangeable. However, "failed to notice" can sometimes carry a slightly stronger implication of negligence or responsibility.