failed to perceive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to perceive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's inability to notice, understand, or recognize something. Example: "Despite the warning signs, she failed to perceive the danger that lay ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

They failed to perceive how tightly linked global networks can transform small events into big disasters.

The New York Times

Many also failed to perceive the implications of their links to the arms, tobacco and finance industries and arguably failed in their duty of due diligence.

The Guardian

Enabling those developments, the panel found, were a bias toward deregulation by government officials, and mismanagement by financiers who failed to perceive the risks.

The New York Times

Perhaps the 1914 crisis was, after all, a series of blunders, in which statesmen failed to perceive the effects their actions would have on the others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In both experiments, they expected to see particular types of stimuli – faces in the first case, and geometric shapes in the second – and so failed to perceive images that violated their expectations, even when they are displayed prominently.

The Guardian

Ms. Johnson was referring to the indictment, which accuses Officer Conway of causing physical injury by criminal negligence, meaning he failed to perceive a substantial risk that the injury would have occurred.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Every day of our lives we interact with others and often fail to perceive them as true members of our community, thereby failing to make these interactions as meaningful as they can be.

Huffington Post

How Africa's perceived; how we perceive, and fail to perceive, one another".

The Guardian - Books

Danes fail to perceive the fact that they have developed a society deeply suspicious of religion.

The Guardian - Opinion

The disconnect between the military and the global capitalism economy is so severe that military commanders often fail to perceive how their actions undermine growth and development.

The New York Times

This analysis builds on earlier work, most notably by instructing solicitor Sarah Barker at MinterEllison, highlighting that courts will take a dim view of directors who fail to perceive or respond adequately to foreseeable climate-related risks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more active language to strengthen your writing by using "overlooked" or "missed".

Common error

While grammatically sound, "failed to perceive" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "didn't see" or "didn't notice" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "failed to perceive" is a verb phrase indicating a past inability to understand or notice something. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it describes a lack of awareness or comprehension.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to perceive" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that describes a past inability to understand or notice something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. While not overly common, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as in scientific and encyclopedia contexts. When writing, ensure the context clarifies what should have been understood, and consider simpler alternatives like "didn't notice" in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to recognize

Emphasizes a lack of acknowledgment or identification of something familiar.

was unaware of

Stresses a lack of knowledge or consciousness about something.

failed to grasp

Focuses on the inability to understand something, implies a deeper understanding is required.

did not notice

Focuses on a lack of visual or sensory awareness.

remained oblivious to

Stresses a state of unawareness or unconsciousness regarding something.

neglected to see

Highlights a carelessness or inattention in observing something.

did not understand

Highlights a lack of comprehension or intellectual grasp.

was blind to

Indicates a metaphorical inability to see or understand something, often due to bias or emotional factors.

overlooked

Implies a neglect or failure to give due attention to something.

missed

Suggests a failure to take advantage of an opportunity or notice a detail.

FAQs

What does "failed to perceive" mean?

The phrase "failed to perceive" means that someone was unable to notice, understand, or recognize something. It implies a lack of awareness or comprehension.

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

You can use "failed to perceive" to describe a situation where someone didn't understand or recognize something important, such as "The analysts "failed to perceive" the risks associated with the investment."

What are some alternatives to saying "failed to perceive"?

Alternatives to "failed to perceive" include "did not notice", "failed to recognize", or "did not understand" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "failed to perceive" formal or informal?

"Failed to perceive" leans towards the formal side. In more casual contexts, phrases like "didn't notice" or "missed" might be more appropriate.