failed to realize

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to realize" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about someone not understanding or recognizing something. Example: He failed to realize the potential of the project, and missed out on a great opportunity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I totally failed to realize what I didn't know".

The New Yorker

Visitors often failed to realize that they were reading fiction.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Erdogan has failed to realize that he is dealing with a new Turkey.

The New York Times

But the government has failed to realize that we, the people, have our own system.

The New Yorker

Mr. Fahmy concluded: Lastly, the Muslim Brotherhood has failed to realize that its time is over.

The New York Times

Women boasted when the recipient failed to realize that the actual present was money.

The New York Times

The Iraqi state, we failed to realize, had become a house of cards.

The New York Times

Voting surely counts, and too many Democrats failed to realize that until it was too late.

The Guardian - Opinion

"What I failed to realize was, well, they're asking you to play them.

The New York Times

"Congress has failed to realize that our single most important government agency is being systematically dismantled".

The New York Times - Health

"What many have failed to realize is that it's all about building relationships".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to realize" to express a lack of understanding or awareness, particularly when emphasizing the negative consequences of that lack of understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to realize" when a simpler term like "didn't know" suffices. The phrase carries a stronger implication of a missed opportunity or a negative outcome due to the lack of realization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to realize" functions as a verb phrase expressing a past failure to understand or recognize something. It often introduces a clause explaining what was not understood. As Ludwig AI confirmed, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to realize" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a past lack of understanding or awareness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for expressing a missed opportunity or a negative outcome due to this lack of realization. It frequently appears in News & Media sources, and it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing contexts. Consider alternatives like "did not understand" or "was unaware" depending on the desired nuance. Using "failed to realize" effectively involves understanding its implication of a missed chance or a negative consequence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not recognize

Focuses on a lack of recognition, implying a failure to identify or acknowledge something.

did not understand

Highlights a lack of comprehension or grasp of a concept or situation.

did not appreciate

Emphasizes a lack of understanding of the value or importance of something.

did not comprehend

Stresses a lack of mental grasp or deep understanding.

was unaware

Highlights a state of not knowing or being conscious of something.

was oblivious to

Indicates a lack of awareness, often implying a lack of attention or concern.

overlooked

Suggests a failure to notice or consider something important.

missed

Simple and direct, indicating a failure to perceive or understand.

neglected to consider

Highlights a lack of thoughtfulness or attention in evaluating something.

underestimated

Focuses on incorrectly assessing something as less significant or powerful than it actually is.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to realize" to indicate a lack of understanding or awareness, often with negative consequences. For example, "He "failed to realize" the potential of the project."

What are some alternatives to "failed to realize"?

Alternatives include "did not recognize", "did not understand", or "was unaware", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Failed to realize" often implies a missed opportunity or negative consequence due to a lack of understanding, whereas "didn't know" is a more neutral statement of unawareness. The first suggests you should have known, but didn't.

When is it inappropriate to use "failed to realize"?

Avoid using "failed to realize" when a simpler term like "didn't know" would suffice, or when there's no implication of negative consequences due to the lack of realization.