failure to do so may cost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to do so may cost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that not taking a specific action could result in negative consequences, often financial or reputational. Example: "Please ensure that all reports are submitted on time; failure to do so may cost the company valuable clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Consistent failure to do so may cost it its reproductive success: natural selection favors a true grasp of the hierarchy.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Failure to do so may cost you a deal.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A failure to do so may be interpreted as evidence of a degree of overdiagnosis (Esserman et al, 2009).

British Journal of Cancer

Any high-throughput technique would expect to capture most of these interactions, and failure to do so may be taken as evidence of false-negative results.

Cell Communication and Signaling

Healthy infants typically regain their birth weight by 21 days of age; however, failure to do so may be due to medical, nutritional or environmental factors.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Toyoda may be tempted swerve around the hard decisions, but to do so may cost Toyota dearly.

Forbes

"Failure to do so may result in uncontrollable negative campaigning".

The New York Times

Failure to do so may result in the inability of health officials to prevent further outbreaks".

The New York Times - Health

Failure to do so may result in a proposed 10 million won (approximately £5,575) fine.

The Guardian - Tech

Failure to do so may lead to incorrect policy conclusions.

Health Economics Review

Failure to do so may jeopardize future research and conservation efforts.

Biological Conservation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failure to do so may cost" to clearly and directly state the potential negative consequences of not taking a specific action. This is effective in warnings and instructions.

Common error

Avoid using "failure to do so may cost" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal and stiff; simpler alternatives are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to do so may cost" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a specific inaction or omission can lead to negative consequences. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showing examples where it highlights potential repercussions in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failure to do so may cost" serves as a formal causal connector, warning about the potential negative consequences of inaction. While grammatically correct and validated by Ludwig, its frequency is uncommon, appearing predominantly in science, news, and wiki contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is suitable for formal and scientific writing, but may be overly formal in casual conversation. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives like "not doing so could be costly" or "if you don't, there could be repercussions". Always prioritize clarity and appropriateness to the context when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not doing so could be costly

This alternative is more concise, replacing "failure to" with "not doing" and using "costly" as an adjective.

omission may lead to expenses

This alternative replaces "failure" with "omission" and rephrases "cost" as "lead to expenses".

disregarding this may have consequences

This phrase replaces "failure" with "disregarding" and uses the general term "consequences".

not taking action may result in losses

This alternative focuses on the lack of action and uses "losses" to indicate the negative consequence.

neglecting this could entail a price

This alternative uses "neglecting" instead of "failure" and "entail a price" for "cost".

overlooking this might prove expensive

This suggests that ignoring a matter may eventually create financial difficulties.

a lack of diligence might be detrimental

This version emphasizes the absence of careful effort and the potential for harm.

non-compliance might result in penalties

This alternative emphasizes a formal or regulatory context, using "non-compliance" and "penalties".

if you don't, there could be repercussions

This option is more informal, using simpler language to convey potential negative outcomes.

ignoring this could create problems

This focuses on 'create problems' instead of direct costs, expanding negative effects.

FAQs

What does "failure to do so may cost" mean?

The phrase "failure to do so may cost" indicates that not performing a specific action could result in negative consequences, often involving financial loss or other undesirable outcomes.

How can I rephrase "failure to do so may cost" to sound less formal?

You can use alternatives like "not doing so could be costly", "if you don't, there could be repercussions", or "ignoring this could create problems" for a less formal tone. Find more alternatives "here".

In what situations is it appropriate to use "failure to do so may cost"?

This phrase is suitable for formal writing, instructions, or warnings where clearly outlining potential negative outcomes is necessary. It's commonly used in business, legal, or scientific contexts.

Is "failure to do so may cost" grammatically correct?

Yes, "failure to do so may cost" is grammatically correct. It uses standard English syntax to express a conditional relationship between inaction and a potential negative consequence.