failing to stop this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failing to stop this" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone did not take action to prevent something from happening. Example: "The consequences of failing to stop this issue could be severe for the entire community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We apologize to the people for failing to stop this coup," said Sohn Hak-kyu, head of the main opposition Democratic Party.

The New York Times

At the time they argued that they attacked the town because its safe-haven status was being abused by the Muslims to launch counter-offensives against Serb forces and that the UN was failing to stop this.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It has been accused of failing to stop the violence.

The New York Times

He was charged with failing to stop the massacre.

The New York Times

Bill Clinton is often blamed for failing to stop the killing in Rwanda.

The Economist

Iran was failing to stop the ethnic cleansing of Baghdad's Sunnis, he was told.

The Economist

He apologized for failing to stop the illicit behavior sooner, and vowed to make amends.

The New York Times

In May, Barclays was fined £26m for failing to stop the price of gold being manipulated.

The Guardian - Business

Ch Con Sara Thornton repeated her apology to the victims for failing to stop the abusers earlier.

The Guardian

Modi has been accused of failing to stop the violence and even encouraging rioters.

The Guardian

He is accused of failing to stop the killing of protesters.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failing to stop this" when you want to emphasize the responsibility or duty to prevent something undesirable from happening, and the negative consequences of that failure. It often implies a moral or ethical dimension to the inaction.

Common error

Avoid using "failing to stop this" in casual conversation. The phrase carries a formal and somewhat accusatory tone, making it unsuitable for everyday situations. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "not stopping this" or "not preventing this".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to stop this" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of not preventing something, often implying criticism or assigning blame for the inaction. Ludwig examples show its usage in contexts where someone had a duty or opportunity to prevent an event.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failing to stop this" is a gerund phrase used to describe the act of not preventing something, often with an implication of responsibility or blame. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and primarily appears in news and media contexts. While the phrase is functional, it is relatively rare, and writers should be mindful of its formal tone. Choosing simpler alternatives, such as "not preventing this", can be more suitable for informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not preventing this

Directly replaces the 'failing' with 'not preventing', offering a more concise and less judgmental tone.

neglecting to halt this

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care in stopping something, implying a degree of negligence.

not managing to stop this

Highlights the lack of success in preventing something, focusing on the ineffectiveness.

being unable to stop this

Focuses on the lack of capability or power to prevent the event from happening.

omitting to stop this

Highlights the act of leaving out a critical action that should have been taken to prevent the occurrence.

not intervening to stop this

Specifically addresses the absence of intervention as the reason for the failure to stop something.

not taking steps to stop this

Emphasizes the absence of proactive measures to prevent something from occurring.

refraining from stopping this

Implies a deliberate choice not to intervene, which might be for strategic or other reasons.

forgoing the chance to stop this

Focuses on the missed opportunity to prevent something, implying regret or consequence.

passively allowing this to continue

Highlights the lack of active resistance and the implicit permission granted by inaction.

FAQs

What does "failing to stop this" mean?

It describes a situation where someone or something did not take the necessary actions to prevent a particular event or outcome. It often carries a sense of responsibility or expectation that action should have been taken.

Is there a difference between "failing to stop this" and "not preventing this"?

While similar, "failing to stop this" often carries a stronger implication of responsibility or obligation than "not preventing this". "Failing" suggests a dereliction of duty, while "not preventing" is more neutral.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "failing to stop this"?

It's suitable in formal contexts such as news reports, legal documents, or official statements where there is a need to emphasize the accountability for not preventing a negative outcome. Using the phrase in academia/science is adequate too.

What are some alternatives to "failing to stop this" for a less formal tone?

You could use phrases like "not managing to stop this", "being unable to stop this", or simply "not preventing this" depending on the specific context and the desired level of formality.