fails to take action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to take action" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone does not act or respond when they should. Example: "The committee fails to take action on the proposed changes, leaving the issue unresolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

If the driver fails to take action, the system would fully apply the brakes and curb engine output.

The New York Times

"The longer the international community fails to take action, the more the civilian population will suffer from countless atrocities committed against them," Ms. Pillay said.

The New York Times

"This is the key part," Secretary Powell said, "that the U.N. will then say, 'We're going to take action if he fails to take action.' That's what we're looking for".

The New York Times

Indeed, if Congress fails to take action before the end of the year, the "sequester", a gun it pointed at its own head last year, will go off and produce $1.2 trillion of automatic spending cuts just as George W. Bush's tax cuts expire, thereby bending the deficit sharply downwards.

The Economist

So in order to protect American jobs, the US government fails to take action over the illegal transfer of billions of dollars, while sentencing people in the Horn of Africa to death because of the illegal transfer of a few thousand.

The Guardian - Opinion

Supporters of a campaign launched by comedian and actor Lenny Henry to change the law to boost the number of black, Asian and minority workers in the television industry say they will consider boycotting the licence fee if the government fails to take action.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The SHD managers' descriptions reveal that SHD fails to take actions to fulfil legal requirements of Swedish healthcare, time being expressed as one of the barriers.

BMC Health Services Research

failed to take action".

The New York Times

The government has failed to take action and responsibility.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The bank's primary regulator, the O.C.C., failed to take action," Mr. McCain says.

The New York Times

But, once again, the Security Council failed to take action against the offending regime.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fails to take action", ensure the context clearly indicates what action should have been taken and the consequences of not taking it.

Common error

Avoid using "fails to take action" without specifying the expected action. Be precise about what action was omitted to provide clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to take action" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of expected or required action. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples illustrate its use in describing consequences of inaction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fails to take action" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to denote a lack of action when it is expected or necessary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for written English. Predominantly found in news and media, its usage extends to scientific and formal business contexts. While "fails to take action" is effective, alternatives like "neglects to act" or "does not intervene" can provide nuanced variations. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the expected action to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglects to act

This alternative focuses on the aspect of neglecting a required action.

omits to respond

This emphasizes the lack of a response rather than the overall action.

does not intervene

This specifically implies a lack of involvement in a situation.

refrains from acting

This suggests a deliberate decision not to take action.

passes up the opportunity to act

This highlights the missed chance or occasion to act.

declines to respond

This suggests a formal refusal to respond or act.

sidesteps involvement

This conveys an avoidance of participation or action.

remains inactive

This highlights a state of being inactive rather than a failure to act.

desists from intervening

Implies a formal cessation of intervention.

stays passive

Focuses on a passive role, lacking initiative.

FAQs

How can I use "fails to take action" in a sentence?

You can use "fails to take action" to describe a situation where someone or something does not act or respond when they should. For example, "If the government "fails to take action", the consequences could be severe."

What are some alternatives to "fails to take action"?

Some alternatives to "fails to take action" include "neglects to act", "omits to respond", or "does not intervene", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "fails to take action" or "does not act"?

While "does not act" is simpler, "fails to take action" implies a specific responsibility or expectation to act, making it more impactful in certain contexts. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "fails to take action" and "unable to take action"?

"Fails to take action" implies a lack of willingness or neglect, while "unable to take action" suggests an inability due to circumstances or limitations.