failing to act

USAGE SUMMARY

"failing to act" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation where someone did not take the necessary action or steps to achieve a goal or prevent a negative outcome. Example: The company's profits continued to decrease due to the CEO's failing to act on the warning signs and implement new strategies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Or degrade ourselves by failing to act).

The New Yorker

How can anyone justify failing to act?

The New York Times

The consequences of failing to act are simply too grave.

The Economist

Others railed against governments for failing to act earlier.

The Economist

Opposition politicians accused the Conservatives of failing to act decisively.

The Guardian

It does appear that we're failing to act [on emissions].

The Guardian

Of course, Obama was not alone in failing to act.

The Washington Post

Both can result from the low-flow protection failing to act promptly.

World Pumps

"On the other, people clearly became tired of Albany failing to act on some big problems.

The New York Times

Mr. Paterson did, however, chastise legislators for failing to act on his bill.

The New York Times

With police failing to act and crowds gathering, shots were fired.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failing to act", clearly state the specific action that was omitted and the resulting consequences to emphasize the impact of the inaction.

Common error

Avoid using "failing to act" without specifying what action was necessary. Be precise about the unfulfilled expectation to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to act" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the state or instance of not performing a required or expected action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a proper phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failing to act" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that highlights the negative consequences of inaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and formal writing. While alternatives like "inaction" or "omission" may offer conciseness, "failing to act" provides a more direct emphasis on the lack of action and its repercussions. When using this phrase, ensure that the specific action omitted is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity and maximize impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not taking action

A straightforward alternative, emphasizing the absence of action.

inaction

Focuses on the state of not acting, a more concise alternative.

non-action

A more direct and emphatic way of stating the lack of action.

omission

Highlights the act of leaving something undone or unsaid.

neglecting to act

Emphasizes a disregard or lack of attention in taking action.

refraining from acting

Suggests a deliberate choice to not take action.

failing to intervene

Highlights the lack of interference or involvement in a situation.

passing up the chance to act

Indicates a missed opportunity to take action.

remaining passive

Focuses on the state of inactivity or acceptance without resistance.

avoiding action

Highlights a deliberate attempt to not get involved.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "failing to act" in a sentence?

Consider using alternatives such as "inaction", "omission", or "not taking action" depending on the context.

What are the consequences of "failing to act" in a critical situation?

The consequences of "failing to act" can range from missed opportunities and escalating problems to severe damages and irreversible outcomes. The specific impact depends on the nature and urgency of the situation.

Is there a difference between "failing to act" and "choosing not to act"?

"Failing to act" often implies negligence or oversight, while "choosing not to act" suggests a deliberate decision. The difference lies in the intent and awareness behind the inaction.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "failing to act" in formal writing?

The phrase "failing to act" is suitable in formal writing when you need to emphasize the negative consequences of inaction, especially when someone had a responsibility or opportunity to intervene. In some cases "inaction" may result in better readability