failing to respond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failing to respond" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is not replying or reacting to a message, request, or situation. Example: "The committee is concerned about the lack of progress, particularly regarding the members failing to respond to the survey."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The patient is failing to respond" -- that naughty patient!

The New York Times

The Germans accuse him of failing to respond to rising youth unemployment.

The Economist

But the Liberal Democrats criticise Labour for failing to respond adequately.

The Economist

But you'd rather not say, "She's failing to respond to treatment".

The New York Times

Even ordinary cars might spontaneously accelerate to fatal, uncontrollable speeds, with brakes failing to respond.

The New York Times

Opposition political parties have assailed the ruling coalition for failing to respond quickly enough.

The New York Times

In announcing the arrests, police apologised for failing to respond to the alarm.

The Guardian

Rural/Metro was failing to respond on time, state records show.

The New York Times

Mr. Thomas was wanted for failing to respond to several misdemeanor traffic charges.

The New York Times

Western officials say Iran has rejected the deal, but Tehran accuses the West of failing to respond to its proposals.

The New York Times

Remember the man in a diabetic coma who was tasered by armed police for failing to respond to their commands.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where action is expected but absent, use "failing to respond" to convey a sense of unmet expectation or responsibility. For example, "The government was criticized for failing to respond to the crisis promptly."

Common error

While "failing to respond" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in informal conversations. Simpler alternatives like "not answering" or "ignoring" might be more appropriate in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to respond" functions as a verbal phrase or a gerund phrase often acting as part of a predicate. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. It describes the act of not reacting or answering, indicating a lack of expected response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failing to respond" is a versatile phrase used to describe the absence of an expected reaction or answer. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and scientific contexts. Alternatives include "not responding" and "ignoring", each carrying slightly different connotations. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure that it accurately reflects the reason for the lack of response, whether due to inability, neglect, or deliberate refusal. Be mindful of overuse in informal settings, where simpler alternatives may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not responding

Omits the continuous aspect, focusing on the state of not giving a response.

not answering

Specifically refers to not providing an answer, often verbal or written.

neglecting to respond

Highlights a sense of duty or responsibility being ignored.

unresponsive

Describes a lack of reaction or feedback, emphasizing a passive state.

not reacting

Focuses on the absence of any reaction to a stimulus.

ignoring

Implies a deliberate choice to not acknowledge or react.

declining to answer

Suggests a deliberate refusal to provide an answer.

omitting a response

Highlights the absence of a response that was expected or required.

remaining silent

Emphasizes the lack of verbal response or communication.

refusing to acknowledge

Highlights a deliberate act of not accepting or recognizing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "failing to respond" to describe a situation where someone or something is not reacting or answering as expected. For instance, "The patient is "failing to respond to treatment"" or "The company is "failing to respond to customer inquiries"."

What are some alternatives to "failing to respond"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "not responding", "ignoring", "not answering", or "unresponsive".

Is it better to say "fail to respond" or "failing to respond"?

Both "fail to respond" and "failing to respond" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Fail to respond" implies a general inability or tendency, while "failing to respond" suggests a specific instance or ongoing situation.

What's the difference between "failing to respond" and "refusing to respond"?

"Failing to respond" can imply an inability, oversight, or neglect to answer or react, whereas "refusing to respond" suggests a deliberate and conscious decision to not answer or react.