failure to acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"failure to acknowledge" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone does not give recognition or credit for something, such as an achievement, a statement, or a fact. Example 1: The team's success was overshadowed by their manager's failure to acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Example 2: The politician's failure to acknowledge the implications of his policy proposal caused controversy among voters. Example 3: The author's failure to acknowledge the source of his inspiration for the novel sparked accusations of plagiarism.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"His failure to acknowledge my efforts was very painful".

The New York Times - Books

Sin, in Endo's view, is sometimes nothing more than the failure to acknowledge common humanity.

The New York Times - Books

The shame is not in the mistake but in the failure to acknowledge it.

The New York Times

Anthony's greatest transgression is his failure to acknowledge and rectify his shortcomings.

The New York Times

-The use of gender-specific pronouns, and the failure to acknowledge that a newborn baby might be transgender.

The New Yorker

Was getting drunk the result of his inability to mourn, a Freudian failure to acknowledge the reality of loss?

The Guardian - Film

More seriously there is a disingenuous failure to acknowledge basic truths about the relationship between care costs and quality.

The Guardian

Noting McConville's failure to acknowledge he owned the coat, the barrister added: "It's McConville's coat – he's given no alternative explanation".

The Guardian

"Our failure to acknowledge fathers' importance is now reflected in the shape of the American family," he writes.

The New Yorker

Courtney said talks had reached a stalemate because of Morgan's failure to acknowledge the real-terms cut in funding.

The Guardian

My party's failure to acknowledge that mistake compromised our ability to rebuild trust in 2010 and in 2015.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure to acknowledge", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being ignored or unacknowledged. Specificity strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of a "failure to acknowledge". While significant, overstating the consequences can weaken your argument. Provide factual evidence to support your claims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to acknowledge" functions as a noun phrase that describes a lack of recognition or acceptance of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely recognized and accepted in English writing. The provided examples illustrate its use in various contexts to express disapproval or highlight a deficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure to acknowledge" is a commonly used phrase to describe a situation where someone neglects to recognize or give credit for something. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in English writing. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. Alternatives include "refusal to recognize" and "neglecting to recognize". When using this phrase, ensure you clearly state what is being unacknowledged and avoid overstating the consequences. This comprehensive analysis, incorporating real-world examples, offers valuable guidance on effectively incorporating the phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refusing to recognize

Highlights a deliberate decision not to acknowledge something.

neglecting to recognize

Emphasizes the act of overlooking or omitting recognition.

declining to admit

Emphasizes a refusal to concede or acknowledge something true.

omitting to mention

Focuses on the act of leaving something unsaid or unwritten.

lack of recognition

Shifts the focus to the absence of acknowledgement.

disregarding the importance of

Highlights the act of undervaluing or ignoring significance.

ignoring the significance of

Stresses the act of overlooking importance or consequence.

being remiss in recognizing

Focuses on a negligent failure to give proper acknowledgement.

overlooking

A concise alternative, focusing on the act of missing or ignoring something.

not taking into account

Highlights a failure to consider or give weight to something.

FAQs

How can I use "failure to acknowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "failure to acknowledge" to describe a situation where someone does not recognize or give credit for something. For example, "The project's "failure to acknowledge" the contributions of junior team members led to discontent."

What is a good alternative to "failure to acknowledge"?

Alternatives include "refusal to recognize", "neglecting to recognize", or "omitting to mention" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "failure to acknowledge" or "lack of acknowledgement"?

Both "failure to acknowledge" and "lack of acknowledgement" are correct, but they have slightly different emphasis. "Failure to acknowledge" focuses on the action (or inaction), while "lack of acknowledgement" emphasizes the resulting state.

What are the implications of a "failure to acknowledge"?

A "failure to acknowledge" can lead to misunderstandings, resentment, and a breakdown in communication. It can also undermine trust and create a negative environment.