failure to improve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to improve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a lack of progress or advancement in a particular area, such as performance, skills, or conditions. Example: "The team's failure to improve over the last season has raised concerns among the management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And his administration has made mistakes, including a failure to improve the deplorable school system.

The New York Times

After the speech, Cameron was pressed on the government's failure to improve prisons sooner.

The Guardian

The coming year will bring more evidence of Labour's failure to improve public services.

The Guardian

But at home she faced criticism over her failure to improve the economy and increase employment.

The Guardian

In one area above all, the failure to improve is especially egregious: education.

The New Yorker

"Gas, I need some gas," she agitated, clearly frustrated by her pupil's failure to improve.

The New York Times - Magazine

CNN: Do you share part of the burden for a failure to improve Obamacare?

The Washington Post

But the failure to improve the education system is more costly still.

Stanford University

and the festering anger inside prisons over the failure to improve conditions.

The New York Times

They're not sufficient to excuse the company's failure to improve the boarding process.

The Economist

Teachers have described Gove as showing "abject failure to improve education or treat teachers, parents and pupils with respect".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing setbacks or unmet expectations, use "failure to improve" to underscore the lack of positive change. For instance: "The company's failure to improve its customer service led to a significant loss of clients."

Common error

Avoid using "failure to improve" when the situation involves a complete breakdown or catastrophic event. "Improve" implies there was an existing base to build upon. Instead, consider terms like "collapse", "breakdown", or "complete failure" for more severe scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to improve" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it describes a situation or instance where progress or advancement has not occurred. It often leads to discussions of consequences or reasons for the lack of improvement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failure to improve" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a lack of progress or advancement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for diverse contexts, especially in news, science, and academic discussions. While versatile, it's best to use it when there was an expectation of betterment, not in scenarios involving complete collapse. Alternatives like "lack of improvement" or "inability to enhance" can offer nuanced expressions depending on the context. The phrase is widely understood and accepted, making it a reliable choice for conveying a lack of positive change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of improvement

Focuses on the absence of positive change.

lack of progress

Directly points to the absence of forward movement toward a goal.

failure to advance

Emphasizes the lack of forward movement or progress.

inability to enhance

Highlights a deficit in the capacity to make something better.

non-advancement

A more formal way to express the absence of progress.

stagnation

Implies a state of inactivity or lack of development.

decline

Suggests a downward trend or deterioration, rather than a simple lack of improvement.

deterioration

Emphasizes the process of becoming worse.

regression

Indicates a return to a previous, less developed state.

worsening conditions

Focuses on a decline in quality or state.

FAQs

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

You can use "failure to improve" to describe a situation where there's a lack of progress or advancement. For instance: "The team's "failure to improve" their performance led to their defeat."

What are some alternatives to "failure to improve"?

Alternatives include phrases like "lack of improvement", "inability to enhance", or "lack of progress", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "failure to improve" or "failure of improvement"?

"Failure to improve" is generally more appropriate because it directly addresses the lack of action or progress. "Failure of improvement" is less common and can sound awkward.

What's the difference between "failure to improve" and "regress"?

"Failure to improve" indicates a lack of positive change, while "regress" implies a decline or return to a previous state. The latter suggests a worsening condition, not just a lack of progress.