failure to identify

USAGE SUMMARY

"failure to identify" is an appropriate and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a failure to recognize or properly identify a person or thing. For example, you might write, "The suspect's failure to identify himself to authorities caused further suspicion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The failure to identify her is rather startling.

The New York Times - Books

A failure to identify all possible perpetrators would equate to a failure to identify all who may have been victims of voicemail interception.

The Guardian

Critics say the failure to identify the source of the funding is a conflict of interest.

The New York Times - Food

Shortcomings included poor record-keeping and a failure to identify children at immediate risk of harm.

The Guardian

But he said that his failure to identify himself crossed a line of journalistic ethics.

The New York Times

Our failure to identify and treat the indigent depressed is not only cruel but also costly.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, failure to identify Basayev's body is likely to fuel continued speculation over his death.

The Guardian

Najima Rainey, 39, was arrested in connection with obstructing and failure to identify.

The Washington Post

After six months, failure to identify nearly all 500 could have meant dismissal.

Princeton University

Cohen's lawyers' failure to identify this person "is not in accordance with the law in this Circuit," she noted flatly.

The New Yorker

Down, 18, from Escondido, Calif., was also charged with failure to identify himself to the police after being arrested.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the implications of the "failure to identify". Use this phrase when you want to emphasize the negative consequences of not recognizing or pinpointing something or someone.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "failure to identify" in passive constructions where the actor responsible for the failure is obscured. Active voice often provides a clearer and more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to identify" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act or instance of not being able to recognize or pinpoint something or someone. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure to identify" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes the act of not recognizing or pinpointing something. As confirmed by Ludwig, its use spans across various contexts including News & Media, Science and Academia. Ludwig's analysis pinpoints neutral register and illustrates its function of highlighting deficiencies or shortcomings in identification processes. Alternative phrases like "inability to recognize" or "omission to identify" can be used depending on the context. When utilizing this phrase, prioritize clarity by clearly stating what or who was not identified, and avoid passive constructions to ensure a more direct and impactful message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inability to recognize

Focuses on the lack of ability rather than the act of failing to identify.

omission to identify

Highlights the act of leaving out the identification process.

neglect to identify

Emphasizes a careless oversight in the identification process.

oversight in identifying

Focuses on the mistake made during the identification process.

breakdown in identification

Suggests a systemic problem or error in the process of identifying.

error in recognition

Highlights a specific mistake made during the act of recognition.

inaccurate identification

Emphasizes the incorrectness of the identification made.

misidentification

Implies an incorrect identification has actively occurred.

unsuccessful identification

Highlights lack of success in making an identification.

deficiency in identification

Focuses on a lack or shortcoming in the identification process.

FAQs

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

You can use "failure to identify" to describe situations where someone or something was not properly recognized or pinpointed. For example, "The "failure to identify the source" of the funding led to a conflict of interest."

What are some alternatives to "failure to identify"?

Alternatives include "inability to recognize", "omission to identify", or "neglect to identify", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "failure to identify" grammatically correct?

Yes, "failure to identify" is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts. It functions as a noun phrase describing the act of not being able to recognize or pinpoint something.

What is the difference between "failure to identify" and "misidentification"?

"Failure to identify" means not recognizing something at all, while "misidentification" means incorrectly identifying something. The former is an absence of recognition, the latter is an incorrect recognition.