failure to contribute

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to contribute" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is not providing input, support, or resources to a group or project. Example: "The committee expressed concern over the failure to contribute from several members, which hindered the progress of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Conversely, analysis of the BRIcontributiontoon to global health – or failure to contribute – could inform international relations and development understanding of the ontology, and identity, of BRICS.

Globalization and Health

Buckingham has said that he resented Nicks's solo success and her failure to contribute, but her absence also allowed him maximum control over the record's sound.

The New Yorker

And President Obama and his aides graciously made no public mention of France's failure to contribute its fair share of troops to fight a common enemy in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Research by the Observer has shown that in a 1999 book, Letwin identified an "underclass" who he said represented "an extreme failure to contribute to the advance of beauty, truth and prosperity".

The Guardian

It was not immediately clear how participation in the savings plan would be enforced, but failure to contribute to the plan would not in itself be grounds for eviction from shelters, officials said.

The New York Times

The topics he raised ranged from a bribery investigation in New Jersey during the nineteen-seventies, to allegations that a Mafia-related company helped to build Trump Tower, to the contents of Trump's tax returns, to his failure to contribute a single dollar to his eponymous charitable foundation since 2006.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Mitochondrial dysfunction (bioenergetic failure) is knownt to contribute to the development of multiorgan failure in acute sepsis.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

These factors mean that hidden failures inherently threaten to contribute to a cascade of failures in their local area.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The different failure mode is believed to contribute to the increment of laminate strength.

Construction and Building Materials

During the execution of a request to create a new record some of the bits of record fields are set and reset to introduce failures and such failures contribute to receive omission failures.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Thus, the islet is wired by hubs, whose failure may contribute to type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Cell Metabolism

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing responsibilities within a group, clearly articulate the expected contributions from each member to avoid ambiguity and potential "failure to contribute".

Common error

Avoid using "failure to contribute" without specifying what contribution was expected. Be explicit about the expected actions or resources that were not provided to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to contribute" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where an expected or required contribution is not made. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

53%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure to contribute" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, albeit not exceedingly common. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It effectively conveys a lack of expected input or support, suitable for neutral to formal settings. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define what constitutes the expected contribution to avoid vagueness. Alternative phrases like "lack of contribution" or "inability to contribute" can offer nuanced variations, depending on the specific context and desired tone. The phrase sees its most frequent usage in scientific and news media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of contribution

Changes the noun "failure" to "lack" and uses the noun "contribution" instead of the infinitive phrase.

inability to contribute

Replaces "failure" with "inability", focusing on a lack of capacity rather than an act of omission.

failing to provide input

Focuses on the lack of offering any information or resources.

non-participation

Uses a single noun to represent the absence of involvement.

refusal to contribute

Indicates a deliberate choice not to provide input or support.

omission of contribution

Highlights the act of leaving out a necessary component.

defaulting on contribution

Implies a prior expectation or obligation that has not been met.

neglecting to contribute

Suggests a lack of attention or care in providing input or support.

withholding contribution

Emphasizes the act of holding back something that could have been provided.

abstaining from contributing

Indicates a conscious decision to refrain from providing input.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "failure to contribute" in a more positive way?

Instead of highlighting the negative, try focusing on future improvements. For example, you could say "opportunity for growth in participation" or "areas where increased involvement would be beneficial".

What's the difference between "failure to contribute" and "lack of contribution"?

"Failure to contribute" implies a missed expectation or responsibility, while "lack of contribution" simply describes the absence of input. The former carries a slightly more critical tone.

Is it ever appropriate to use "failure to contribute" in a formal setting?

Yes, but use it judiciously. In formal settings, it's better to frame it constructively, focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on the "failure to contribute" itself. For example, phrase feedback as something like "We aim at getting contribution from every single member".

What are some synonyms for "failure to contribute" that I can use in different contexts?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, you could use synonyms like "non-participation", "lack of involvement", or "refusal to contribute". The best choice depends on the specific situation and the intended tone.