failure to evolve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to evolve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has not adapted or changed over time, often leading to negative consequences. Example: "The company's failure to evolve in response to market trends ultimately led to its decline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Failure to evolve can then lead to extinction.

The Economist

The key to their failure to evolve lies in the figure of Mullah Omar himself.

Independent

The (nuanced) difference is Singapore's failure to evolve toward the lively political competition we see today in the other two countries.

The New York Times

By the time Bryan died I had already started to move on, and it was, as Coe rightly points out, Bryan's failure to evolve that was at the heart of his problem as a writer.

The Guardian - Books

He accused the company of failing to address AOL's loss of seven million subscribers over three years, and, at the same time, its failure to evolve from its roots as an Internet service provider.

The New Yorker

"My failure to evolve has been causing me a lot of grief lately," the author writes, imagining himself as a primitive being ill-adapted to glass-strewn streets and swank soirées.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Thus, the absence of regular spatial patterning of red and green cones and the failure to re-evolve oil droplets in primates might be a simple consequence of the detection of spectral and spatial information by the same photoreceptors.

Plosone

At this point, the failure of the media to evolve with the changing demography of those it serves is a demonstration of an industry slowly going blind to its own best interests.

Huffington Post

However, despite these promising results [ 12, 15], unacceptable reliability due to acute reversal of DWI lesions and the failure of all lesions to evolve to the final infarct have substantially limited clinical acceptance of DPM [ 16, 21, 22].

BioMed Research International

This result shows that the cascading failures are more likely to evolve the serious condition.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) comprise a heterogeneous range of haematopoietic diseases characterised by bone marrow failure and a variable propensity to evolve into acute myeloid leukaemia.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing organizational strategy or personal development, use "failure to evolve" to underscore the importance of continuous adaptation to remain competitive or relevant. It is especially effective when contrasting a static approach with the dynamism required for success.

Common error

Avoid using "failure to evolve" when you mean "failure to resolve". "Evolve" refers to gradual development, while "resolve" means to find a solution. For example, say "failure to resolve the conflict", not "failure to evolve the conflict".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to evolve" functions as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that the examples show how it conveys a lack of adaptation, often leading to negative outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failure to evolve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that underscores the critical need for adaptation and progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, highlighting situations where a lack of adaptation leads to negative consequences. When using this phrase, ensure that you are emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement rather than simply noting a lack of change. Some alternatives include "inability to adapt", "lack of progress", and "stagnation". Be careful not to confuse "evolve" with "resolve", as they have distinct meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failure to adapt

Mirrors the original phrase but uses 'adapt' instead of 'evolve'.

failure to transform

Highlights the lack of a significant change in form or nature.

inability to adapt

Focuses on the lack of capacity to adjust to new conditions.

failure to develop

Focuses on the lack of development or improvement.

failure to mature

Highlights the lack of development to achieve maturity

lack of progress

Highlights the absence of forward movement or development.

stagnation

Emphasizes a state of inactivity or lack of growth.

inflexibility

Emphasizes the rigidity and unwillingness to bend or change.

resistance to change

Indicates an active opposition to alteration or modification.

lack of innovation

Highlights the absence of new ideas or methods.

FAQs

What does "failure to evolve" mean?

The phrase "failure to evolve" refers to an inability or lack of progress in adapting and changing over time, often in response to new circumstances or environments. It suggests a stagnation or lack of development.

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

You can use "failure to evolve" to describe a company's struggles due to not adapting to market changes, or an individual's personal stagnation due to resisting new experiences. For example: "The company's "inability to adapt" to the digital age led to its downfall."

What are some alternatives to "failure to evolve"?

Some alternatives to "failure to evolve" include "inability to adapt", "lack of progress", "stagnation", or resistance to change. The best alternative depends on the specific context.

In what contexts is "failure to evolve" commonly used?

"Failure to evolve" is often used in business, science, and personal development contexts to describe situations where a lack of adaptation leads to negative consequences. It highlights the importance of continuous improvement and change.