failing to start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failing to start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something does not begin as expected or intended. Example: "The project is delayed due to failing to start on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Problems reported included vehicles failing to start and frozen door locks.

The Guardian

"Confused by Radio 4 failing to start broadcasting at 5.25 this morning," tweeted Graham Patterson.

The Guardian

WILLIAM GRIMES A BALKY SKIFF Whuh, whuh, whuh — that's the summer sound of my boat engine failing to start as I yank away on the pull cord.

The New York Times - Arts

His reasoning was that they had conspired in a classic piece of false advertising by hyping Adu's arrival then failing to start him.

The Guardian - Sport

1.50pm: The bookmakers William Hill have cut their odds on the Commonwealth Games failing to start on schedule from 5-1 to 3-1 after a "concerted gamble" during the last 48 hours.

The Guardian - Sport

Despite failing to start any of Wolfsburg's six matches, the 27-year-old has come off the bench on each occasion and scored three times, including a late equaliser against Bayern Munich in the German SuperCup.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Penalties for failing to get insurance would start at $750 a year for individuals and $1,500 for families.

Huffington Post

Arriving would be good, though, because Cardelli's results for failing to qualify, start or finish a world-class event read like ticker symbols for losing stocks: D.N.Q., D.N.S., D.N.F.

The New York Times - Sports

For all the money spent by the Roosevelt administration, public investment was failing to jump-start a key private-sector industry.

The New York Times

Why did almost everyone believe in the omnipotence of the Federal Reserve when its counterpart, the Bank of Japan, spent a decade trying and failing to jump-start a stalled economy?

The New York Times

But Pietersen's personal disappointment at failing to kick-start the series with what at times felt like a preordained hundred gave way to optimism about England's performance after the opening days of the 2005 and 2006-07 Ashes both ended with Australia on top.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or project, use "failing to start" to clearly indicate that the initial phase was not successfully initiated. For example, "The new marketing campaign is facing setbacks due to failing to start on time."

Common error

Avoid using "failing to start" when you mean something began but then stopped. "Failing to start" indicates an inability to begin at all, while "failing to continue" describes an interruption after commencement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to start" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a noun or part of a noun phrase. It describes the action of not beginning or initiating something. Ludwig confirms this is valid English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failing to start" is a grammatically sound and commonly used gerund phrase to describe the inability to begin or initiate something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and general writing. While versatile, avoid confusing it with "failing to continue", which describes an interrupted process. When writing, consider using alternatives such as ""unable to begin"" or "not initiating" for nuanced expression. The phrase has a neutral register and is prevalent in authoritative sources like The Guardian and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to begin

Focuses on the lack of ability to commence, rather than the act of failing.

not initiating

Emphasizes the absence of the initiation process.

failing to commence

Uses a more formal synonym for "start", indicating a failure to begin.

unable to launch

Implies a failure in the initial phase of a project or venture.

not getting off the ground

An idiomatic expression for failing to make progress from the initial stage.

being unable to trigger

Highlights the inability to activate or set off something.

not activating

Focuses on the lack of activation or triggering of a process or device.

stalling

Suggests a sudden stop or inability to proceed after a partial start.

grinding to a halt

Implies a gradual stop or inability to continue.

dead in the water

An idiomatic expression meaning without any chance of progress or success.

FAQs

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

You can use "failing to start" to describe something that is unable to begin, such as "The car is "unable to begin" because of a dead battery."

What are some alternatives to "failing to start"?

Alternatives to "failing to start" include phrases like ""unable to begin"", "not initiating", or "failing to commence", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "failing at starting" instead of "failing to start"?

While grammatically possible, "failing to start" is more idiomatic and commonly used than "failing at starting". "Failing to start" directly indicates an inability to initiate.

What's the difference between "failing to start" and "failing to continue"?

"Failing to start" means something is unable to begin, while "failing to continue" means something began but was interrupted. For example, a car "grinding to a halt" after moving has "being unable to trigger".