failed to notify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to notify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone did not inform or alert another party about something important. Example: "The company failed to notify its employees about the changes in the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He acknowledged that he had failed to notify the authorities of allegations of abuse.

The New York Times

The letter also said the company had failed to notify regulators in a timely fashion about such problems.

The New York Times

Education officials also acknowledged that they had failed to notify the principals of the new schools about the earlier accusations.

The New York Times

It emerged that Guidant had long failed to notify doctors of the risks of one sort of defibrillator short-circuiting.

The Economist

The management company failed to notify the insurance company, assuming the woman probably wasn't badly hurt and would not sue.

The New York Times

FOR MR. CLOUGH, THE BIGGEST problem was that he had failed to notify his bosses, the regents.

The New York Times - Arts

A 911 supervisor failed to notify the department's Harbor Unit of the call, as required under a new procedure.

The New York Times

She failed to notify the I.A.A.F. that she was using the stimulant, however, and she did not obtain a waiver.

The New York Times - Sports

The paper failed to notify readers that it was not an original shot but a photo montage.

The Guardian

According to the complaint, Mr. Roberts failed to notify regulators before acquiring voting securities of Comcast as part of his compensation beginning in October 2007.

The New York Times

Afterward, the authorities failed to notify inmates' relatives of the deaths, buried bodies without conducting autopsies and burned the surviving prisoners' bloodstained clothing and shoes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and choose a synonym if "failed to notify" seems too harsh. Alternatives like "did not inform" or "neglected to mention" can soften the tone.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to notify" without specifying the subject. Vague statements like "The company failed to notify" leave readers wondering who or what was not notified, reducing the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to notify" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a failure to perform the action of informing or alerting someone. It is used to express negligence or omission in communication, as shown by Ludwig examples where entities like companies or individuals failed to notify relevant parties about critical information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

81%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to notify" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that points to a lack of communication or information sharing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression in English. Its usage is particularly prevalent in news and media, encyclopedias and wiki, suggesting a neutral register appropriate for various contexts. When using "failed to notify", be specific about who should have been notified and the information they didn't receive. Consider using synonyms like "neglected to inform" or "did not alert" to adjust the tone or emphasize different aspects of the communication failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglected to inform

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care in the act of informing.

did not alert

Focuses on the absence of a warning or signal about a potential danger or issue.

neglected to mention

Stresses the oversight in not bringing something to someone's attention.

left uninformed

Focuses on the state of being without information.

omitted to advise

Highlights the absence of counsel or guidance that should have been provided.

did not apprise

A more formal way of saying someone wasn't informed.

forgot to tell

Implies an unintentional failure to communicate something.

failed to keep abreast of

Highlights a lack of ongoing information or updates.

remained silent about

Indicates deliberate withholding of information.

kept in the dark about

Highlights the act of withholding information.

FAQs

What does "failed to notify" mean?

It means someone did not inform or alert another person or entity about something, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

What can I say instead of "failed to notify"?

You can use alternatives like "neglected to inform", "did not alert", or "forgot to tell", depending on the context.

Is "failed to notify" a formal or informal expression?

"Failed to notify" is generally considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives such as "did not apprise" may be more appropriate in certain professional settings.

How do I use "failed to notify" in a sentence?

Example: "The company failed to notify its employees about the changes in the policy." Make sure to specify who failed to notify whom and about what.