failed to recognize

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to recognize" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone didn't understand or recognize something. Example: Despite his years of experience, John failed to recognize the signs of an emerging economic crisis.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Maybe they failed to recognize your fingerprints.

The New York Times

Republicans have not failed to recognize reality.

The New York Times

Congress has failed to recognize this change.

The New York Times

Rumsfeld added, "I failed to recognize how important it was".

The New Yorker

The Palestinians have failed to recognize this fact.

The New York Times

Few traders, however, would have failed to recognize his priorities.

The New York Times

Others wondered how the city could have failed to recognize the family's desperate needs.

The New York Times

But an E.coli infection developed, and doctors failed to recognize it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

That's because sympathy that fails to recognize culpability also fails to recognize potentiality.

The New Yorker

They fail to recognize those gaffes as missteps.

The Guardian

That view, he said, fails to recognize a major problem.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to recognize" to indicate a lack of awareness or understanding, particularly when there was an expectation of recognition. For example, use it to describe a missed opportunity, a misjudgment, or a failure to appreciate something's value.

Common error

While "failed to recognize" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced alternatives like "did not acknowledge" or "overlooked" to maintain sophistication and precision in your expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to recognize" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a lack of awareness, understanding, or acknowledgment. It is used to describe situations where someone did not perceive or understand something, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failed to recognize" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a lack of awareness or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, primarily within news, science, and business domains. While versatile, it's advisable to consider more nuanced alternatives like "did not acknowledge" or "overlooked" for heightened formality or precision. Remember to use it when highlighting a missed opportunity or a deficiency in perception, and be mindful of the context to ensure the most impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not realize

Focuses on a lack of awareness or understanding, often implying a missed opportunity for knowledge.

missed

A simpler term that focuses on failing to notice something important.

did not acknowledge

Emphasizes a lack of explicit acknowledgment, which is a bit more assertive than simply failing to recognize.

could not identify

Emphasizes an inability to specifically name or categorize something.

was unaware of

Highlights a state of not knowing, often about a specific fact or situation.

overlooked

Highlights the act of missing something, often due to carelessness or distraction.

did not perceive

Focuses on a failure of sensory or intellectual understanding.

did not appreciate

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

neglected to consider

Highlights a failure to think about something, often implying a lack of diligence.

remained ignorant of

Stresses a persistent lack of knowledge, often implying a deliberate avoidance of information.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to recognize" to indicate a lack of understanding or awareness. For example: "The committee "failed to recognize" the significance of the evidence."

What are some alternatives to "failed to recognize"?

Alternatives include "did not realize", "overlooked", or "did not appreciate". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "failed to recognize" or "did not recognize"?

Both "failed to recognize" and "did not recognize" are grammatically correct, however "failed to recognize" suggests a missed opportunity or a stronger expectation of recognition, whereas "did not recognize" is a more neutral statement of non-recognition.

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

"Failed to recognize" implies a lack of awareness or understanding, while "failed to acknowledge" suggests a deliberate refusal to give due credit or recognition. For example someone "failed to acknowledge" the team's contributions despite knowing about them.