failure to find

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to find" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where there is an inability to locate or discover something, often in technical or formal writing. Example: "The failure to find the necessary data resulted in a delay in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This finding was further supported by our failure to find known autoantigens in the list of downregulated genes, Meta-DOWN.

BMC Systems Biology

The failure to find Mr. Hussein is also a factor.

The New York Times

Until now, failure to find such clumps had puzzled astronomers.

The New York Times - Science

But there are other explanations for his failure to find his daughter's body.

The Guardian

And the Redskins' problems were compounded by their failure to find a dependable field-goal kicker.

The New York Times - Sports

My failure to find more restaurants that were serving fanesca didn't mean that I'd gone hungry.

The New Yorker

If Black was disappointed about the failure to find bin Laden, he did not betray it.

The New Yorker

Because of his failure to find fraud, the inspector general concluded, Iglesias was fired.

The New Yorker

The fourth mistake was the US failure to find any WMDs.

The Guardian

"That's more the norm," Gimelstob says of his failure to find a consistent teammate.

The New York Times - Magazine

Gerrard admitted England's failure to find a second goal made it a nervous finish.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failure to find" when you want to clearly and directly state that something was not located or discovered, often implying an expectation that it should have been.

Common error

While "failure to find" is grammatically correct, consider using more casual alternatives like "couldn't find" or "didn't find" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to find" functions as a noun phrase that describes the act or instance of not locating something. It often serves as the subject or object of a sentence, highlighting the lack of success in a search or investigation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure to find" is a versatile phrase used to express the lack of success in locating or discovering something. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal writing. While alternatives exist to tailor the tone, "failure to find" provides a direct and clear way to communicate the absence of a desired finding. The high frequency of this phrase and its presence in authoritative sources solidify its acceptance and reliability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failure to locate

Similar to "failure to find", but focuses specifically on location.

inability to locate

Focuses on the lack of capacity or means to find something.

lack of discovery

Emphasizes the absence of finding or uncovering something.

unsuccessful search

Highlights the fruitless effort in seeking something.

failure to detect

Focuses on not being able to perceive or notice something.

absence of finding

Emphasizes the state of not having found something.

could not be found

Passive voice construction indicating something was not able to be located.

difficulty in locating

Highlights the challenge or struggle in finding something.

inability to unearth

Similar to "failure to find", emphasizes digging up or revealing.

non-discovery

A more formal term for the lack of finding something.

FAQs

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

You can use "failure to find" to describe situations where something was not located. For example: "The "failure to find" the missing documents delayed the investigation."

What are some alternatives to "failure to find"?

Some alternatives include "inability to locate", "lack of discovery", or "unsuccessful search", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "failure to find" or "failed to find"?

"Failure to find" acts as a noun phrase describing the event of not finding something, while "failed to find" is a verb phrase indicating an action that was not successful. The choice depends on the sentence structure. For example: "The "failure to find" evidence led to the dismissal of the case" versus "They failed to find any evidence".

What does "failure to find" imply?

"Failure to find" typically implies that there was an expectation or attempt to locate something, and that this attempt was unsuccessful. It can also suggest a negative consequence or problem resulting from the inability to locate the item or information.