failing to declare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failing to declare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is not disclosing or reporting something that is required, such as in legal or financial situations. Example: "The company faced penalties for failing to declare its foreign assets to the tax authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was accused of failing to declare the ammunition but allowed to continue on to Perm.

The New York Times

He was arrested for failing to declare the pistol.

The New York Times

He pleaded no contest to failing to declare golfing trips with lobbyists and campaign contributors.

The Economist

Businesses failing to declare for a year would face a maximum fine of only £22,140.

Independent

Mr Hain stepped down on January 24th after failing to declare political donations on time.

The Economist

The maximum penalty for failing to declare donations is £20,000 or a year in jail.

The Guardian

Kerik acknowledged failing to declare on his returns book royalties, consultant fees and the use of a BMW.

The Washington Post

Chris Brown may also be expelled from the party after failing to declare two criminal convictions from the 1980s.

The Guardian

While keeping money offshore is not against the law, failing to declare those holdings or income to the I.R.S. is.

The New York Times

For failing to declare goods, they are all risking fines as much as eight times the normal duty.

The New York Times - Style

Boris Johnson has apologised for failing to declare more than £52,000 of outside earnings to parliament.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failing to declare", ensure the context clearly indicates what should have been declared and the consequences of the omission. Be specific about the type of information or item that was not declared.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all omissions are "failing to declare". This phrase specifically applies when there's a legal or formal obligation to report something, and the omission constitutes a breach of that obligation. Otherwise, consider "omitting" or "forgetting" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to declare" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as the subject or part of the predicate in a sentence. It signifies the action of not reporting or disclosing something that one is required to report. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failing to declare" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the act of not reporting something that one is obligated to report. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, it often carries legal or ethical implications. To avoid misinterpretations, specify the undeclared item and understand the scope of declaration requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

omitting to disclose

This alternative focuses on the act of leaving something out intentionally when it should have been included.

neglecting to report

This implies a carelessness or lack of attention in fulfilling a reporting obligation.

not disclosing

This is a direct and simple way of saying that information was withheld.

withholding information

This emphasizes the act of deliberately keeping information secret.

failing to report

A more straightforward synonym, emphasizing a lack of required reporting.

avoiding disclosure

This suggests an active effort to prevent information from becoming known.

not revealing

This focuses on the lack of making something known or visible.

keeping silent about

This highlights the choice to remain quiet about something important.

suppressing information

This implies actively preventing information from being disseminated.

not divulging

This suggests a reluctance to share confidential or sensitive information.

FAQs

What are the consequences of "failing to declare" something?

The consequences of "failing to declare" vary depending on the context but can include fines, legal penalties, or other sanctions. Examples include "tax evasion", customs violations, and breaches of political disclosure laws.

What is the difference between "failing to declare" and "hiding" something?

"Failing to declare" implies a specific obligation to report something, while "hiding" ("hiding") suggests a deliberate attempt to conceal information regardless of any reporting requirements. The former is often a legal or procedural violation, while the latter suggests intentional deception.

What kind of things are people often accused of "failing to declare"?

People are often accused of "failing to declare" assets, income, political donations, goods at customs, and conflicts of interest. These accusations usually arise when there's a legal or ethical requirement to disclose such information.

What can I say instead of "failing to declare" in a formal context?

In a formal context, you can use alternatives like "omitting to disclose" ("omitting to disclose"), "neglecting to report" ("neglecting to report"), or "non-disclosure". These options maintain a professional tone while conveying the same meaning.