failed to respond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to respond" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone did not reply or react to a request or communication. Example: "Despite multiple attempts to reach out, she failed to respond to my emails."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Keydata failed to respond.

The Guardian - Money

The FBI failed to respond to inquiries.

Independent

But she failed to respond.

The Guardian

The company failed to respond.

The Guardian - Money

He failed to respond to several messages.

The New York Times - Sports

City simply failed to respond here.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet I.B.M. had repeatedly failed to respond.

The New York Times

Yet the world has failed to respond.

The Washington Post

But his immune system failed to respond.

The Guardian

All patients failed to respond to aggressive antireflux therapy.

Journal of Voice

"America failed to respond as it should have," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to respond" to highlight a lack of expected reaction, whether it's a reply to a message or a reaction to a stimulus.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to respond" when the reason for the lack of response is unknown or unclear. It can imply negligence or disregard, which might not be the case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to respond" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of reaction or reply. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where it describes a lack of expected or requested communication. This construction highlights inaction in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to respond" is a versatile and frequently used expression indicating a lack of reaction, reply, or acknowledgment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports and scientific publications to general communications. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to consider the context and potential implications of implying negligence or disregard. Consider using alternatives like "did not reply" or "remained silent" for nuanced communication. Its high frequency and consistent usage across authoritative sources make it a reliable and effective phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not reply

A more direct way of saying someone didn't answer.

did not answer

Similar to 'did not reply', but can also apply to questions.

remained silent

Implies a deliberate choice not to speak or communicate.

gave no reaction

Focuses on the absence of any visible response.

did not acknowledge

Suggests a lack of recognition or acceptance.

neglected to respond

Highlights a lack of attention or responsibility.

ignored the request

Emphasizes the act of deliberately overlooking a request.

did not address

Indicates a failure to deal with a specific issue or question.

offered no comment

Common in journalistic contexts when someone declines to speak.

passed without response

Indicates that a specific event or information did not get any response.

FAQs

What does "failed to respond" mean?

The phrase "failed to respond" means that someone did not reply, react, or otherwise acknowledge a communication, request, or stimulus. It indicates a lack of response where one was expected or required.

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

You can use alternatives like "did not reply", "did not answer", or "remained silent" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "failed to respond"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the lack of any reaction or reply, particularly when a response was expected or necessary. For instance, "The company failed to respond to the customer's complaint".

Is "failed to respond" formal or informal?

The phrase "failed to respond" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "did not acknowledge" might be preferred in certain professional settings.