failing to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failing to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of success in achieving a certain state or condition. Example: "He is often criticized for failing to be a supportive leader when his team needs guidance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Somehow, in failing to be like his father, Harry has failed to be a "real" man.

Independent

After failing to be a reader's writer, Green failed to become a teacher's pet, his work stubbornly resisting every label.

The New Yorker

By failing to be timely, they succeeded in being timeless.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Rajoy's camp does not see any problem in failing to be upfront.

The New York Times

Farrell now will end his term in July after failing to be re-elected.

The Guardian

But there are worse fates for a Presidential candidate, including failing to be outspoken.

The New Yorker

membership and by failing to be the arsenal of Taiwan's democracy.

The New York Times

Elsewhere, a few directors seem to have lost their jobs for failing to be sufficiently vigilant.

The New York Times

Industry commentators said they expected the decline in the number of companies failing to be temporary.

The Guardian - Money

If dependence isn't a moral failing to be punished, it's an addictive substance off which people must be weaned.

The New York Times

He only took up sprinting at age 15 after failing to be enthused about soccer, team handball or rugby.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failing to be", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is expected or intended to be. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "failing to be" can sound repetitive in formal contexts. Consider using stronger verbs or more direct phrasing to convey the intended meaning concisely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to be" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a subject complement or part of a verb phrase. It describes a state of not achieving a desired quality or characteristic. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples of practical application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failing to be" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase used to express a lack of success in achieving a certain state or condition. It's found across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and wiki sources, according to Ludwig. While versatile, it's important to ensure clear context and consider stronger alternatives in formal writing. Ludwig AI affirms the phrase's validity and provides diverse examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not being

Emphasizes the absence of a quality or state.

failing to become

Focuses on the lack of progression to a new state.

not succeeding in being

Highlights the lack of success in an attempt to be something.

proving unable to be

Indicates a demonstrated inability.

falling short of being

Suggests a failure to reach a required standard.

missing out on being

Conveys a sense of lost opportunity to be something.

being deficient in

Focuses on the lack of an essential quality.

neglecting to be

Implies a failure to act in a specific way.

omitting to be

Suggests an intentional or unintentional oversight.

being remiss in being

Accentuates the negligence in fulfilling an expected role.

FAQs

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

You can use "failing to be" to describe a situation where something or someone does not achieve a desired state or quality. For example, "The company was criticized for "failing to be transparent" about its environmental impact."

What are some alternatives to "failing to be"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "not being", "failing to become", or "being unable to be".

Is it better to say "failing to be" or "not being"?

Both "failing to be" and "not being" are grammatically correct, but "failing to be" often implies a specific expectation or attempt that was unsuccessful, whereas "not being" is a more general statement about a lack of a certain quality.

What's the difference between "failing to be" and "failing to become"?

"Failing to be" describes a current state of not possessing a quality, while "failing to become" implies a process or transition that did not reach its intended outcome. For example, someone might be "failing to be supportive", but also "failing to become a leader".