failure to discover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to discover" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing the inability to find or identify something, often in legal, scientific, or investigative settings. Example: "The failure to discover the underlying cause of the issue led to further complications in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

The failure to discover weapons of mass destruction in Iraq has ensured that Mr Bush's war continues to polarise opinion.

The Economist

Russia's scant regard is connected to its own troubled existential journey, Deryabin suggests, and its failure to discover a national idea.

The Guardian - Books

The failure to discover them has undermined Mr. Blair's credibility, dented his public support and turned a majority of Britons against a war they once supported.

The New York Times

His standing has slumped since the war with the failure to discover unconventional weapons and with suspicions that his government manipulated intelligence information to exaggerate the threat.

The New York Times

Blair's noisy support for an invasion of Iraq was a catastrophic error of judgment for more reasons than the failure to discover weapons of mass destruction.

The Guardian

Hence their failure to discover the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping activity and their failure to take action against the NSA's gathering of telephone and Internet records.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

We need a positive feedback system: The Dignity Commission included a recommendation on 'appreciative inquiry' - focussing on a range of feedback, including positive, rather than waiting for complaints or failures to discover where things are going wrong.

The Guardian

To conduct a survey in a representative cohort of ambulatory patients with stable, well managed chronic heart failure (CHF) to discover their experiences of air travel.

International Journal of Cardiology

Our ability to listen with care and awareness diminishes when we are worried about "getting it right". Since failure is inevitable in all human endeavors, it is important for future business leaders to learn to face the fear of failure and then to discover how to turn failure into success.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In the pursuit of spectacular failure, I tried to discover that -- in dressing up to mess up.

The New York Times - Arts

The failure of science to discover that gene, I believe, is more a function of genetic complexity combined with our limited ability to understand it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure to discover", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was not found and why it is significant. This will enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "failure to discover" solely to assign blame without analyzing underlying causes. Instead, focus on the systemic or methodological reasons that contributed to the lack of discovery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to discover" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of not finding or realizing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure to discover" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the state of not finding or identifying something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what was not found and consider alternative phrasing options depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as "inability to detect" or "lack of detection".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inability to detect

Focuses on the lack of capability to perceive or notice.

failure to identify

Highlights the lack of recognition or pinpointing of something specific.

failure to notice

Emphasizes the lack of attention leading to not observing something.

omission to ascertain

Emphasizes the neglect in confirming or establishing something definitively.

neglect to uncover

Focuses on the lack of effort in revealing or exposing something hidden.

oversight in finding

Highlights an unintentional error in the process of locating something.

lack of detection

Stresses the absence of any finding or noticing.

inability to unearth

Focuses on the lack of ability to dig up or reveal something hidden.

omission to perceive

Highlights the neglect in becoming aware of something through the senses or mind.

lack of insight

Stresses the absence of deep understanding or realization.

FAQs

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

You can use "failure to discover" to describe a situation where something was not found or identified. For example: "The investigation highlighted the police's "failure to discover" crucial evidence at the crime scene."

What are some alternatives to "failure to discover"?

Some alternatives include "inability to detect", "failure to identify", or "lack of detection". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "failure to discover" or "failure to detect"?

"Failure to discover" and "failure to detect" are similar, but "failure to detect" often implies a sensory or technological inability to find something, while "failure to discover" can refer to a broader range of reasons for not finding something, including lack of investigation or insight.

What does "failure to discover" imply about responsibility?

"Failure to discover" often implies a lack of due diligence or effectiveness in searching for something, which can suggest negligence or incompetence depending on the context. This is why it is important to carefully consider other alternatives like "lack of insight" when assigning responsibility is not your intent.