failure to commit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to commit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is unable or unwilling to make a decision or take action. Example: "The team's failure to commit to a strategy resulted in confusion and lack of direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It's about commitment, or the failure to commit.

Vice

It's all about the voters with failure to commit.

The New York Times

It was a failure to commit a much bigger act".

The New York Times

But the failure to commit sufficient U.S. forces allowed Osama bin Laden to escape.

The New York Times

Mr. Uva is proposing to his girlfriend of 10 years, who has finally had it with his failure to commit.

The New York Times

This risks negative environmental performance being accepted as inevitable and a failure to commit to innovation to improve it.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Donovan's failures to commit to Europe, particularly in 2005, triggered the name-calling.

The New York Times - Sports

What's eating Sarah (Lizzy Caplan), the failure-to-commit heroine of the mopey comedy "Save the Date"?

The New York Times

It isn't rocket science and it isn't bogged down by a lot of organizational theory: the five steps give people a simple, logical process to follow, making it easier for everyone--both the leaders and the employees who ultimately determine a reorg's success or failure--to commit themselves to and succeed in the new organization.

Harvard Business Review

Sanders neglecting to de-millionize himself through alms isn't a failure to adequately commit to socialism.

The Washington Post

So while charitable giving is certainly a good thing to do, and I wholly endorse doing it, Sanders neglecting to de-millionize himself through alms isn't a failure to adequately commit to socialism.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategic decisions, use "failure to commit" to highlight the consequences of not fully engaging with a chosen course of action.

Common error

Avoid using "failure to commit" in casual conversation; simpler phrases like "didn't follow through" or "backed out" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to commit" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of not engaging fully or following through, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure to commit" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a lack of dedication or follow-through. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from news and academia to formal business settings. While effective, consider simpler alternatives for informal communication. Remember, as sources like The New York Times and The Guardian show, this phrase often carries a negative connotation, highlighting missed opportunities or negative consequences. Therefore, ensure its usage is precise and contextually appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of commitment

Replaces "failure" with "lack of", emphasizing the absence of dedication.

inability to commit

Focuses on the lack of capacity rather than the act of failing.

refusal to commit

Highlights a deliberate choice not to engage.

neglecting to commit

Emphasizes the act of overlooking or disregarding a commitment.

omission to commit

Focuses on the act of leaving out or excluding the commitment.

default of commitment

Highlights a failure to fulfill a commitment.

breach of commitment

Emphasizes a violation of an existing commitment.

non-commitment

A general term indicating the absence of commitment.

avoidance of commitment

Focuses on actively steering clear of commitment.

lack of follow-through

Highlights the absence of completing an action after starting it.

FAQs

What does "failure to commit" mean?

The phrase "failure to commit" refers to a situation where someone does not fully dedicate themselves to a task, relationship, or decision. It implies a lack of follow-through or a refusal to fully engage.

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

You can use "failure to commit" to describe a lack of dedication or follow-through. For example, "The project's failure to commit resources led to its eventual cancellation."

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

Alternatives to "failure to commit" include "lack of commitment", "inability to commit", or "refusal to commit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "failure to commit" formal or informal?

"Failure to commit" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for professional, academic, and news-related contexts. More informal situations might call for simpler alternatives.