failure to cooperate

USAGE SUMMARY

"failure to cooperate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a variety of contexts, such as in a business letter, formal report, or even a personal essay. For example, you could write: "The team's failure to cooperate resulted in a significant decrease in productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

citing a failure to cooperate in antidrug efforts.

The New York Times

Failure to cooperate may be grounds for cancellation of access privileges, or other disciplinary actions.

Stanford University

The council, Lewisham, said that the problems were caused by the developers' failure to cooperate.

The Guardian - Arts

Dee said the agency made its decision "based on his failure to cooperate".

The New York Times - Sports

Failure to cooperate brought swift punishments, like 50 push-ups, or dining hall assignments.

The New York Times

Failure to cooperate effectively has imposed a heavy cost in wasted opportunities.

The New York Times

Most everyone agrees that failure to cooperate in a more meaningful way could result in environmental disaster.

Yale University

Vincent states another reason for Brady's punishment: "[his] failure to cooperate fully and candidly with the investigation".

The Guardian - Opinion

When financial stability hung in the balance in 1933, the Reserve Banks' failure to cooperate prevented effective action.

The Guardian - Business

He called on Europe to show "a united front and make any failure to cooperate very painful for Putin".

The Guardian

Besides, their failure to cooperate with foreign authorities shows they have no interest in destroying a lucrative market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure to cooperate", clearly specify the context or entity with which cooperation was expected. For example, "the company's failure to cooperate with the investigation" provides more clarity than simply stating "failure to cooperate".

Common error

Avoid embedding "failure to cooperate" within overly complex sentences. Break down long sentences for clarity, such as by replacing "Due to the department's failure to cooperate, which stemmed from a lack of resources..." with "The department failed to cooperate. This was due to a lack of resources."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to cooperate" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts. Examples demonstrate its use in describing reasons for setbacks or assigning blame.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failure to cooperate" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe a lack of collaboration or compliance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and encyclopedias. Its primary function is to assign responsibility for negative outcomes resulting from a lack of teamwork or obedience to rules. While generally neutral in tone, it often carries a negative connotation, and as such, be mindful of tone when including the phrase. Alternatives such as "lack of collaboration" or "non-compliance" can be used to vary the language. Ensure the context is clear when using the phrase, and avoid overly complex sentence structures to maintain readability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of collaboration

Emphasizes the absence of joint effort or teamwork.

non-compliance

Highlights the refusal or inability to adhere to rules or requests.

refusal to assist

Focuses on the unwillingness to provide help or support.

lack of engagement

Indicates a passive or detached stance, rather than active opposition.

unwillingness to participate

Stresses the reluctance to take part in an activity or process.

opposition to collaboration

Highlights the active resistance against working together.

resistance to teamwork

Emphasizes the aversion to collaborating within a team setting.

inability to coordinate

Focuses on the lack of capacity to synchronize efforts.

lack of responsiveness

Highlights the absence of timely and appropriate reactions or answers.

failure to coordinate efforts

Highlights the lack of synchronization and harmonization in activities aimed at a common goal.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "failure to cooperate"?

You can use alternatives like "lack of collaboration", "non-compliance", or "refusal to assist" depending on the context.

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

You might say, "The investigation was hindered by the witness's failure to cooperate with the police" or "The project's delay was attributed to the team's failure to cooperate effectively".

What is the difference between "failure to cooperate" and "lack of cooperation"?

While similar, "failure to cooperate" implies a specific instance or event where cooperation was absent, whereas "lack of cooperation" suggests a more general or ongoing pattern.

What are the potential consequences of a "failure to cooperate"?

The consequences vary depending on the situation, but can include fines, legal penalties, project delays, damaged relationships, or loss of trust.