failure to adapt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to adapt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the inability to adjust to new conditions or changes, often in relation to individuals, organizations, or systems. Example: "The company's failure to adapt to market trends ultimately led to its decline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Failure to adapt to changing social attitudes is not a mark of success.

The Guardian - Opinion

Failure to adapt their products to the new regulations could spell financial disaster.

Harvard University

It is our failure to adapt to veterans that's the problem, not the other way around.

The New York Times - Books

Failure to adapt product lines to either of these types of change means extinction.

Harvard Business Review

Cisco faces additional pressure because of evolving markets and a failure to adapt.

The New York Times - Tech

"One reason I left the firm was a failure to adapt," a former banker in the New York branch said.

The New York Times

Yet attendances at A&E have also soared, provoking criticism about GPs' failure to adapt to changing demands.

The Guardian - Opinion

The key lessons from Kodak's failure to adapt to digital disruption aren't what you think they are.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Portuguese soccer star's financial maneuvers can tell us a lot about the world's failure to adapt to globalization.

The New York Times

England's failure to adapt has led to two losses and now they're facing the most important game of Eddie's tenure.

The Guardian - Sport

Today it may have 25% of the vote, compared with 40% two years ago.The reason is failure to adapt.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing organizational strategy, use "failure to adapt" to underscore the importance of flexibility in dynamic environments. For instance, highlight a company's "failure to adapt" to digital transformation as a key factor in its decline.

Common error

Avoid using "failure to adapt" as a blanket criticism without specifying the specific changes or conditions to which adaptation was necessary. Always provide context to clarify the scope and impact of the failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to adapt" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It typically describes the inability or unsuccessful attempt to adjust to new or changing circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

20%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure to adapt" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that describes the inability or unsuccessful attempt to adjust to new circumstances. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase commonly functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the negative consequences of not adapting. While it maintains a neutral register, awareness of contextual nuances is crucial for effective communication. Related phrases include "inability to adjust" and "lack of adaptability". Always clarify the scope and impact of the "failure to adapt" for precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inability to adjust

Focuses on the lack of capacity to make necessary changes.

lack of adaptability

Highlights the absence of the quality of being adaptable.

failure to adjust

Emphasizes the unsuccessful attempt to modify or adapt.

resistance to change

Indicates opposition or unwillingness to accept new conditions.

inflexibility

Highlights the rigidness and lack of willingness to change.

failure to evolve

Emphasizes the lack of progress or development in response to changing conditions.

inability to evolve

Focuses on the lack of capacity to progressively develop.

lack of responsiveness

Highlights the absence of reaction or adaptation to stimuli.

failure to modify

Emphasizes the unsuccessful attempt to alter or adjust.

stagnation

Indicates a state of inactivity or lack of development.

FAQs

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

You can use "failure to adapt" to describe situations where an entity (person, organization, system) is unable to adjust to new conditions. For example, "The company's "failure to adapt" to the changing market led to its downfall."

What can I say instead of "failure to adapt"?

You can use alternatives like "inability to adjust", "lack of adaptability", or "resistance to change" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "failure to adapt" or "failure of adapting"?

"Failure to adapt" is the correct and more commonly used phrase. "Failure of adapting" is grammatically awkward and less idiomatic.

What's the difference between "failure to adapt" and "lack of adaptation"?

"Failure to adapt" describes a specific instance or result of not adapting, while "lack of adaptation" refers to a general absence of the ability or willingness to adapt.