failed to supply

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed to supply" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when someone or something did not meet a certain expectation or provide something that was requested or required. Example: The company failed to supply the necessary documents for the merger, causing a delay in the process. OR Despite multiple reminders, John failed to supply the requested information for his visa application.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Zimmerman failed to supply the ingenious scene-by-scene twists needed to keep such a scenario afloat.

The New Yorker

The program has already failed to supply personnel and equipment for some of its contracts, the report said.

The New York Times

He argued that central banks failed to supply enough money and thus allowed devastating deflation to take hold.

The New York Times

Even when the new system flagged potential underpayments, Mr. Maxwell said, it often failed to supply conclusive information.

The New York Times

Illegal markets had been mushrooming in North Korea since the government's ration system failed to supply enough food, leading to a devastating famine in the mid-1990s.

The New York Times

Al Ahram reported that judges in some polling places donated ink and wax (to seal the ballot boxes) because the authorities had failed to supply them.

The New York Times

The international community has failed to supply anti-aircraft guns under the pretext that they will fall into the hands of the terrorists.

The Guardian

The City Council reported yesterday that up to a quarter of city hospitals may have failed to supply emergency contraceptives to sexual assault victims, as required by law.

The New York Times

In Sam Wollaston's lovely account of quiz games in Wednesday's G2, the question was asked, "What gets smoked in Arbroath?" Unhappily, G2 failed to supply the answer.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Once again, consumerism fails to supply a fix.

The New York Times - Books

In some ways, they offer basic services that governments fail to supply.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to supply", ensure the context clearly specifies what was expected to be supplied and the consequences of the failure. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to supply" without clearly specifying what was supposed to be provided. For example, instead of saying "The project failed because they failed to supply", specify "The project failed because they failed to supply the necessary data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to supply" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to indicate that someone or something did not provide something that was expected or required. This can be observed across numerous examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to supply" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate a lack of provision or fulfillment. As Ludwig AI confirms, its meaning is consistently applied across various contexts. The phrase sees frequent use in news, scientific, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "neglected to provide" or "omitted to furnish" exist, "failed to supply" maintains a neutral tone suitable for a wide array of communicative purposes. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what was not provided to enhance the impact and understanding of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglected to provide

Focuses on the aspect of neglect or omission in providing something.

omitted to furnish

Highlights the act of leaving out or excluding the provision of something.

was unable to deliver

Emphasizes the inability to bring or provide something promised or expected.

fell short of providing

Indicates a deficiency or inadequacy in the provision of something.

did not come through with

Suggests a failure to fulfill an expectation of providing something.

defaulted on delivering

Implies a breach of an obligation to provide something.

proved incapable of furnishing

Highlights a demonstrated lack of capacity to provide something.

missed to deliver

Short and direct way to express a failure to deliver something.

could not furnish

Emphasizes the lack of ability to provide or supply.

declined to offer

Highlights a refusal or unwillingness to provide something.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to supply" to indicate a lack of provision, such as: "The company "failed to supply" the necessary resources", or "The government "failed to supply" adequate aid to the victims".

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

You can use alternatives like "neglected to provide", "omitted to furnish", or "was unable to deliver" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "failed to provide" or "failed to supply"?

"Failed to provide" and ""failed to supply"" are often interchangeable, but "supply" implies a more formal or structured provision. Choose the one that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What is the difference between "failed to supply" and "refused to supply"?

"Failed to supply" suggests an inability or omission, while "refused to supply" indicates a deliberate choice not to provide something. The key difference lies in intent.