failure of duty

USAGE SUMMARY

"failure of duty" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts discussing negligence, responsibility, or accountability. Example: "The officer faced consequences for his failure of duty during the incident." Alternative expressions include "breach of duty" and "neglect of duty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

One Operation Elveden officer is under investigation over failure of duty allegations relating to a previous police inquiry.

The Guardian

Saturday January 26 The Financial Services Authority is criticised for "systematic failure of duty" by the Treasury select committee.

The Guardian - Business

Only someone properly trained to reassemble a bicycle should be involved, anything else could leave them liable to a failure of duty of care".

The Guardian - Business

Two of the detective constables had allegations of "other neglect or failure of duty" upheld against them and are no longer working on Operation Weeting, the Met said.

The Guardian

So it feels like a failure of duty of care towards the directorial team that cashed in so emphatically for them in the early noughties – especially with the Wachowskis still admirably keen on expanding cinema's parameters at a time when that's sorely needed.

The Guardian - Film

While the three officers were accused of a "failure of duty of care", the Crown Prosecution Service decided that there was insufficient evidence for a prosecution, and the officers did not face any criminal charges.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The Supreme Court ruling admonishing the legislature for their failure of duties was released one day after the passage of the bill, but women's health advocates now have this strong condemnation of the state legislature's tactics as one more tool to use to defeat these anti-choice bills.

Huffington Post

Indeed it would be a failure of our duty to protect people to do so.

The Guardian

However, it is the failure of professional duty that we should be focusing on, rather than the "missed opportunities", as most missed opportunities will not amount to a failure of professional duty.

The Guardian

"David Miliband's smears are disgraceful and represent a failure of his duty to promote Britain's interests as foreign secretary.

The Guardian

So, if a particular opportunity was missed, does the failure to capitalise on the opportunity amount to a failure of professional duty?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure of duty", ensure the context clearly defines the specific duty that was not fulfilled. Provide details to avoid ambiguity and strengthen the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "failure of duty" as a generic accusation. Always specify which particular duty was neglected or unfulfilled to make your statement more persuasive and precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure of duty" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the omission or neglect of a required action or responsibility. As shown by Ludwig, it denotes a lack of fulfillment of an expected obligation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure of duty" is a noun phrase used to describe a situation where someone has not fulfilled their responsibilities or obligations. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and sees consistent usage across diverse contexts. While the expression is relatively common, it is crucial to provide a clear context to ensure clarity and prevent ambiguity. Alternatives such as "neglect of duty" or "dereliction of duty" may offer more nuanced meanings, but "failure of duty" remains a versatile and understandable option in various settings. Therefore, in order to be more precise is best practice to specify what was the failure of the duty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neglect of duty

Focuses on the act of neglecting one's responsibilities, implying a lack of attention or care.

breach of duty

Implies a violation or breaking of a formal obligation or responsibility.

dereliction of duty

Emphasizes a conscious and reprehensible abandonment of one's responsibilities.

neglect of responsibility

Highlights the failure to properly manage or attend to one's assigned responsibilities.

abandonment of responsibility

Suggests a complete and deliberate relinquishing of one's duties.

omission of duty

Focuses on the act of leaving out or failing to perform a necessary action.

neglected obligation

Highlights a specific duty or obligation that was ignored or not fulfilled.

lapse in responsibility

Implies a temporary or occasional failure to meet one's obligations.

non-performance of duty

A more formal and technical way of stating that a duty was not carried out.

default in obligation

A more formal way of expressing a failure to meet a legal or contractual obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "failure of duty" in a sentence?

You can use "failure of duty" to describe situations where someone has not fulfilled their responsibilities. For example, "The investigation revealed a clear "failure of duty" on the part of the officers involved."

What are some alternatives to "failure of duty"?

Alternatives include "neglect of duty", "breach of duty", or "dereliction of duty", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "failure of duty" the same as "breach of duty"?

While similar, "failure of duty" is a more general term, while "breach of duty" often implies a violation of a formal or legal obligation. The best choice depends on the specific situation you are describing.

What is the difference between "failure of duty" and "dereliction of duty"?

"Failure of duty" is a general term for not fulfilling one's responsibilities. "Dereliction of duty", on the other hand, implies a deliberate and blameworthy abandonment of those responsibilities, carrying a stronger connotation of negligence.