failing to

USAGE SUMMARY

"failing to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was unable to accomplish something. For example: "I failed to finish my assignment on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Failing to test a monitoring strategy is akin to failing to test software.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Are we failing to mature?

The New York Times

Apparently, I'm failing to emote.

The New Yorker

It folded after failing to gain traction.

The New York Times

A frog failing to catch a dragonfly?

The New York Times

Others, failing to find jobs, moved abroad.

The New York Times

The babies "failing to thrive".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Unpardonable Offenses: failing to print someone's nickname.

The New Yorker

The Devils were not just failing to score, they were failing to even shoot.

The New York Times - Sports

For failing to meaningfully address poverty?

The New York Times

(Or degrade ourselves by failing to act).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failing to" to clearly indicate a missed opportunity, obligation, or expectation. It's direct and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

While "failing to" is acceptable in most contexts, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "neglecting to" or "unable to" to enhance readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to" functions primarily as a gerund phrase acting as an adjective or adverb, modifying a noun or verb by describing a state of inaction or omission. Ludwig examples show it preceding a verb to indicate a lack of performance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failing to" is a common and versatile way to express a lack of action or omission, often implying a responsibility or expectation that has not been met. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While its neutral register makes it suitable for many situations, writers should be mindful of potential overuse and consider more formal synonyms in certain settings. Remember that using "failing to" effectively highlights the unfulfilled expectation or missed opportunity, and it is best to make the content as clear as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglecting to

This emphasizes a lack of attention or care, often implying a responsibility that was not met.

omitting to

Focuses on the act of leaving something out, either intentionally or unintentionally.

neglecting to

This alternative emphasizes an oversight or a lack of due diligence in carrying out an action.

unable to

Indicates a lack of ability to perform an action, often due to external circumstances or inherent limitations.

not managing to

Highlights the difficulty or challenge in achieving a particular outcome, suggesting effort was made but unsuccessful.

being unsuccessful in

Focuses on the lack of positive results, emphasizing the failure to achieve a desired goal.

falling short of

Implies not reaching a certain standard or expectation, suggesting a deficiency in performance.

proving incapable of

This alternative suggests a demonstrated inability to execute something, often implying a deeper lack of capacity.

defaulting on

Suggests a failure to meet an obligation or expectation, often with negative consequences.

flunking at

This is an informal expression that implies complete failure, often in a test or evaluation scenario.

FAQs

How can I use "failing to" in a sentence?

You can use "failing to" to describe a missed action or an unfulfilled responsibility. For example, "The company lost revenue by "failing to deliver" on its promises."

What are some alternatives to "failing to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "neglecting to", "omitting to", or "unable to".

Is it more appropriate to say "failed to" instead of "failing to"?

The choice between "failed to" and "failing to" depends on the intended meaning. "Failed to" describes a completed action of failing, while "failing to" describes an ongoing or habitual lack of action. For example, "He failed to complete the task" versus "He is failing to meet expectations."

What's the nuance when using "failing to" over simply saying "not doing" something?

"Failing to" often implies a responsibility, expectation, or a standard that is not being met, which may not be present when simply saying someone is "not doing" something. "Failing to report crimes is nothing new" suggests there is an obligation and consequence.