failure to adhere

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to adhere" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone's inability to follow through with a specific obligation, instruction, or agreement. For example, "The organization was fined for its failure to adhere to the regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Failure to adhere to treatment limits viral suppression, and so thwarts the preventative effect of treatment.

The Guardian

Any failure to adhere to these standards of professionalism will not be tolerated.

The Guardian

The problem, he decided, was a failure to adhere to principles of democracy and human rights.

The New Yorker

Because operating room crises are rare events, failure to adhere to critical management steps is common.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Air pollution campaigners have taken the government to court for its failure to adhere to air quality standards.

The Guardian

Failure to adhere to regulatory standards can result in the registrant being admonished or ultimately removed from the register.

The Guardian

They looked askance at France's and Germany's failure to adhere to the euro's internal rules as they tackled deficits.

The New York Times

Problems arose not owing to a lack of systems and guidelines but staff failure to adhere to them.

The Guardian

Adhering to these standards promotes safety; failure to adhere increases the risk of driver error and, ultimately, accidents.

Britannica

Patient failure to adhere to medication protocols is an often overlooked yet tremendously signicant problem in medicine.

Cornell University

The Daily Mail's "sidebar of shame" regularly holds up examples alleging women's failure to adhere to the "thou shalt not age" commandment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure to adhere", ensure that you clearly specify what the subject is failing to adhere to. For example, "failure to adhere to company policy".

Common error

Avoid using "failure to adhere" without specifying the specific rules or guidelines that were not followed. This can lead to confusion and weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to adhere" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the lack of compliance with a specific standard, rule, or guideline. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

27%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure to adhere" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that describes the lack of compliance with a rule, agreement, standard, or instruction. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news, science, and academic writing. While generally neutral to formal, its function is to express concern regarding non-compliance. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify what is not being adhered to. Alternatives include "non-compliance" and "failure to comply", but "failure to adhere" typically implies a voluntary or moral obligation. By understanding its nuances, writers can effectively use this phrase in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failure to comply

Interchangeable in most contexts, focusing on the act of complying.

non-compliance

More concise and formal, referring to the state of not complying.

lack of adherence

Emphasizes the absence of adherence rather than the act of failing.

disregard for

Highlights a deliberate lack of attention or respect for rules.

neglect to follow

Suggests an oversight or unintentional failure to follow instructions.

violation of standards

Focuses on the infringement of established benchmarks or norms.

breach of protocol

Specifically refers to violating established protocols or procedures.

infringement of regulations

Specifically refers to breaking rules or laws.

ignoring the guidelines

Implies a conscious decision to overlook or dismiss established guidelines.

omission to observe

Highlights the act of not noticing or fulfilling requirements.

FAQs

What does "failure to adhere" mean?

The phrase "failure to adhere" signifies a lack of compliance or obedience to a rule, agreement, standard, or instruction. It indicates that someone has not followed or maintained the expected course of action.

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

You can use "failure to adhere" when discussing the consequences of not following established guidelines or protocols. For example, "The project's delay was due to the team's "failure to adhere" to the initial timeline."

What are some alternatives to "failure to adhere"?

Alternatives to "failure to adhere" include phrases like "non-compliance", "lack of adherence", or "failure to comply". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "failure to adhere" and "failure to comply"?

While "failure to adhere" and "failure to comply" are often used interchangeably, "adhere" generally suggests a more voluntary or moral obligation, while "comply" often implies a legal or mandatory requirement.