fails to heed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to heed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is not paying attention to or ignoring advice, warnings, or instructions. Example: "The committee fails to heed the concerns raised by the community, which could lead to further issues down the line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Yet by featuring a 1962 recipe for veal chops beau séjour, The Times fails to heed its own advice.

The New York Times - Magazine

If the country fails to heed this warning, this scenario is bound to be replayed all over the country.

The New York Times

If ITV fails to heed his warning, Johnston suggested, a "Top Gear-style car crash" could be on the way.

The Guardian - Sport

"Whoever fails to heed it or takes refuge in the usual rituals, will drive Europe against the wall," Gabriel said.

The Guardian

Torvald resorts to physical abuse more than once when Nora fails to heed his calls for her to restrain her impulsive nature.

The New York Times

When he barks it at the campaign's headquarters here, it is a self-deprecating whine, complaining that the young staff fails to heed his command.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Scotland failed to heed these warnings.

The Guardian - Sport

How can we fail to heed their cry?

The New York Times

And in office, we failed to heed people's concerns.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once again the home side failed to heed that warning.

The Guardian - Sport

Some listeners had failed to heed his advice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fails to heed" when you want to emphasize a deliberate disregard for advice, warnings, or instructions, often implying negative consequences. For example, "The company fails to heed safety regulations, resulting in numerous accidents."

Common error

While "fails to heed" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in overly formal or academic writing. More nuanced alternatives like "neglects to consider" or "disregards" might be more appropriate in certain academic settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to heed" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of attention or compliance. It often introduces a negative consequence, as seen in the Ludwig examples where ignoring warnings leads to problems. It connects a subject's action (or inaction) with a predictable, often undesirable, outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fails to heed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the act of disregarding advice, warnings, or instructions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's frequently found in news and media contexts, with considerable presence in scientific writing. While acceptable in various situations, its usage should be carefully considered in overly formal settings, where alternatives like "neglects to consider" or "disregards" might be more appropriate. The phrase serves to express concern or criticism, highlighting potential negative consequences. When employing "fails to heed", ensure the context clearly indicates a missed opportunity for caution or improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ignores warnings

Substitutes "fails to" with "ignores" and replaces "heed" with "warnings".

disregards advice

Replaces "heed" with "advice" and uses a more general term "disregards".

neglects to consider

Uses "neglects" instead of "fails" and replaces "heed" with the more formal "consider".

takes no notice of

Similar to "pays no attention to", but uses the word "notice" instead.

pays no attention to

Emphasizes the lack of attention given to something, replacing "fails to heed" with a more descriptive phrase.

turns a deaf ear to

An idiomatic expression meaning to ignore or refuse to listen to something.

disobeys instructions

Focuses on the act of not following specific instructions.

overlooks the significance of

Highlights that the importance of something is missed or ignored.

is inattentive to

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a lack of attentiveness.

bypasses recommendations

Replaces "fails to heed" with an expression that focuses on the act of not following recommendations.

FAQs

What does "fails to heed" mean?

The phrase "fails to heed" means to not pay attention to, disregard, or ignore advice, warnings, or instructions. It suggests a lack of attention or compliance with something that should be considered.

How can I use "fails to heed" in a sentence?

You can use "fails to heed" when describing someone's neglect of advice. For example: "The government "ignores warnings" about climate change."

What are some alternatives to "fails to heed"?

Alternatives include "disregards advice", "ignores warnings", "neglects to consider", or "pays no attention to", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "fails to heed" or "refuses to heed"?

While both are grammatically correct, "refuses to heed" implies a conscious decision to ignore advice, while "fails to heed" can suggest negligence or oversight. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize intentional defiance or simply a lack of attention.