failed to submit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to submit" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation in which someone has attempted to submit something and has not been successful. For example: "John failed to submit his project on time, which resulted in him receiving a lower grade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But she failed to submit a finished novel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although his family followed the order, Fred failed to submit to relocation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The home's administrators failed to submit a correction action plan that is required by law.

The New York Times

But the alternative schools, he said, had failed to submit enough information to make that case.

The New York Times

He has also alleged that a tutor failed to submit medical information about him to examiners.

The Guardian

Mr. Gattis's lawyers failed to submit much of the ample proof about his mental illness and its devastating effects.

The New York Times

Mr. Todaro never performed hundreds of tests but filed false reports and failed to submit laboratory reports in some instances.

The New York Times

Bishop Jefferts Schori concluded that several dioceses had failed to submit proper written consent for the South Carolina election.

The New York Times

"Indeed, the service has failed to submit any evidence of terrorist activity or of a threat to the national security.

The New York Times

But Terra Networks S.A., the Spanish Internet company, failed to submit a widely anticipated bid for StarMedia.

The New York Times

The court found that the officers failed to submit a detention order or a legal reason for the man's detention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to submit", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was supposed to be submitted and the consequences of the failure. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "The team failed to submit." Be specific: "The team failed to submit the final report due to technical difficulties."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to submit" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating the lack of action of providing something required or expected. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in diverse contexts, signifying omission or non-compliance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to submit" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the omission of a required action. Ludwig shows this phrase to be commonly used in a range of contexts from News & Media to Scientific articles and Encyclopedias. While the register is typically neutral, the specific context can influence the formality of the language. Some alternatives include phrases such as "did not hand in" or "neglected to present", each offering a slightly different nuance. Ensure you are being specific about what was not submitted, to ensure clarity. Overall, according to Ludwig, this is a reliable phrase to use in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not hand in

Replaces "failed to submit" with a more informal expression.

missed the submission deadline

Highlights the aspect of time and missing the allotted period for submission.

neglected to present

Uses "neglected" to imply a lack of attention or care in the failure to submit.

did not provide

A broader term for not giving something that was expected or required.

neglected to file

Emphasizes the negligence in not filing, highlighting a possible requirement or obligation.

omitted to send

Focuses on the act of sending and its absence.

did not tender

Replaces submit with tender, often used in formal contexts like bids or proposals.

fell short of providing

Focuses on not meeting the expectation of providing something.

were unable to furnish

A more formal and indirect way of saying that something was not provided.

defaulted on submission

Indicates a failure to submit, often implying a breach of an obligation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "failed to submit" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives like "neglected to present" or "did not tender", depending on the context.

What are some informal alternatives to "failed to submit"?

Informally, you can say "did not hand in" if you're talking about schoolwork, or simply "did not provide" in more general situations.

Is it correct to say "failed at submitting" instead of "failed to submit"?

While "failed at submitting" is grammatically understandable, "failed to submit" is the more common and natural phrasing. The "to" indicates the infinitive form of the verb, which is standard in this construction.

What does it mean when someone "missed the submission deadline"?

Saying someone "missed the submission deadline" is another way of saying they "failed to submit". It emphasizes that the reason for the failure was being late, rather than necessarily a lack of effort or capability.