failed to observe

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to observe" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone did not follow or adhere to a rule, guideline, or expected behavior. Here are a few examples: - The driver failed to observe the stop sign and caused a collision. - The students failed to observe the dress code and were sent home to change. - The company failed to observe environmental regulations and was fined by the government. In each of these sentences, "failed to observe" is used to indicate that someone or something did not comply with a certain expectation or requirement.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They repeatedly failed to observe the customs and laws of war.

The New York Times

While there he failed to observe protocol regarding visiting Lebanon, with embarrassing results.

The New Yorker

Additionally, we failed to observe impairments in spatial and working memory tasks.

Epilepsy & Behavior

One previous study failed to observe HCV genotype-specific responses to miR-122 inhibition20.

Nature

British officials counselled caution in the face of previous Libyan government announcements of ceasefires they had failed to observe.

The Guardian

Comments 209 entries, no mistakes (save those in a handful of clues submitted which failed to observe the 'rules'rules

The Guardian

However, we failed to observe the upregulation of TIPE2 in both mesangial cells and podocytes in response to high glucose.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease

She failed to observe, in that moment, that the verdict didn't ruin their lives – their decision to rape did.

The Guardian - Opinion

Zeelenberg, Plomp, and Raaijmakers (2003) failed to observe this false recognition effect when list word recognition was at chance.

Consciousness and Cognition

This could help to explain why physicists have failed to observe dark matter directly, in experiments stretching over decades.

Nature

Bethel, Alaska, failed to observe any low temperatures below freezing in September for only the fourth time on record.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to observe", ensure that the context clearly indicates what should have been noticed or followed. Providing specific details strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "failed to observe" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "didn't see" or "missed" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to observe" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express a lack of attention or adherence to a specific guideline, rule, or expected behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to observe" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a lack of noticing or adherence. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news-related sources, it conveys a neutral to formal tone. While correct, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "didn't notice" in informal settings. The phrase's prevalence and the authoritative nature of its sources reinforce its legitimacy as a standard English expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not notice

Replaces "failed to observe" with a more direct and simple expression of not perceiving something.

did not comply with

Focuses on the lack of adherence to rules or regulations, rather than simple observation.

neglected to see

Implies a degree of carelessness or oversight in not observing something.

overlooked

Suggests that something was present but not given due attention.

did not detect

Emphasizes the absence of detection, especially in scientific or technical contexts.

did not perceive

Highlights the lack of awareness or understanding.

disregarded

Suggests a deliberate ignoring of something that should have been observed.

was not cognizant of

A more formal way of saying someone was not aware of something.

missed

A simpler, more informal way to express a failure to notice something.

failed to recognize

Emphasizes a lack of acknowledgement or understanding, not just observation.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to observe" to indicate a lack of noticing something or a failure to comply with a rule. For example, "The scientist "failed to observe" the expected results" or "The driver "failed to observe" the speed limit".

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

You can use alternatives like "did not notice", "overlooked", or "did not comply with" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "failed to observe" or "did not observe"?

Both "failed to observe" and "did not observe" are grammatically correct. "Failed to observe" often implies a stronger sense of responsibility or expectation that something should have been noticed, while "did not observe" is a more neutral statement.

What's the difference between "failed to observe" and "failed to recognize"?

"Failed to observe" implies a lack of initial awareness or noticing. "Failed to recognize", on the other hand, suggests that something was seen or noticed, but its significance or true nature was not understood. For instance, someone might "fail to observe" a minor detail, but "fail to recognize" the implications of a larger event.