failing to take

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failing to take" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a lack of action or neglecting to consider something important. Example: "The report highlights the consequences of failing to take necessary precautions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He denied failing to take his medication.

The New York Times

Lots of people are failing to take responsibility.

The Guardian - Music

Anyone failing to take a trick is knocked out and retires.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now it lambasts the government for failing to take on crooks who funnel "black money" overseas.

The Economist

As recently as September, he criticized the Obama administration for failing to take up the topic.

The New York Times

Ms Ambiga accuses him of being "wet" for failing to take a stronger stand.

The Economist

On Thursday, an emotional Mr. Heslin chastised lawmakers for failing to take action.

The New York Times

He had spoken in the past of suffering a fit after failing to take the pills.

Independent

It is between failing to take action quickly and risking a much worse downturn later on.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tepco was at fault for failing to take these steps, he said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Failing to take affront at the slur, however, is not the same as failing to take note of it.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failing to take", ensure the sentence clearly indicates what action was not taken and the potential consequences of that inaction.

Common error

Avoid using "failing to take" in overly general contexts without specifying what concrete action was omitted. Always specify what action was neglected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to take" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as the subject or part of the verb phrase. It typically describes a lack of action or the omission of something that should have been done, similar to what Ludwig AI explains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failing to take" functions as a gerund phrase indicating a lack of action or omission. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used. This phrase commonly appears in neutral to professional registers, particularly in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources, to highlight negligence or the consequences of inaction. To enhance clarity, specify what action was neglected when using this phrase. Alternatives like "neglecting to take" or "omitting to take" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis. Overall, "failing to take" is a versatile and readily understood phrase for conveying failures in responsibility or execution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglecting to take

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care in the act of taking.

omitting to take

Focuses on the act of leaving something out or not including it.

not bothering to take

Highlights a lack of effort or willingness to take action.

declining to take

Indicates a deliberate refusal to take something offered.

avoiding taking

Suggests an active attempt to stay away from taking something.

refraining from taking

Implies a conscious decision to abstain from taking something.

overlooking to take

Focuses on missing or disregarding the opportunity to take.

passing up on taking

Highlights the choice to forgo or skip the chance to take.

forgoing taking

Emphasizes a voluntary sacrifice or giving up of taking something.

missing the chance to take

Highlights the lost opportunity to take something.

FAQs

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

You can use "failing to take" to describe a situation where someone does not perform an action or consider something important. For example, "The company's crisis was due to "failing to take action" in time."

What are some alternatives to "failing to take"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "neglecting to take", "omitting to take", or "not bothering to take".

Is it more formal to say "failing to take" or "not taking"?

"Failing to take" generally carries a slightly more formal tone than "not taking", especially when discussing responsibilities or expected actions.

What is the difference between "failing to take" and "refusing to take"?

"Failing to take" implies a neglect or omission, while "refusing to take" implies a deliberate rejection or unwillingness to act.