failure to make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to make" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is discussing the inability or lack of action to create, produce, or fulfill something. Example: "The failure to make timely decisions can lead to missed opportunities in business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The failure to make progress is wearing on state officials.

The New York Times

The failure to make any of this work.

The Guardian - Books

Failure to make the interest payments by March 31 would result in an eventual default.

The New York Times

An impressive debut season ended with a narrow failure to make the finals.

The Guardian - Sport

Thus any failure to make progress on this issue will damage Medvedev's credibility.

The Guardian

Failure to make a completed return can lead to a £1,000 fine.

The Guardian

The failure to make a diverse society into an integrated one.

The Guardian - Books

The federation's failure to make an endorsement reflected a split between labor's industrial and service unions.

The New York Times

The failure to make progress, though, is mainly due to bad strategy.

The Guardian

Failure to make the latter payment could have led to a quick and ugly default.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Chang's failure to make more inroads resulted in his dismissal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure to make", ensure that the reason for the failure is clear from the context. Specify what was not made or achieved to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "failure to make" in overly broad or general statements without specifying the context. Be specific about what the failure pertains to for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to make" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject of a sentence or clause. It denotes the absence of a successful outcome or intended action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failure to make" is a versatile term used to describe the lack of achieving a desired outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, most commonly in news, science, and formal business settings. When using "failure to make", it's important to be specific about what was not achieved. Related phrases such as "inability to achieve" or "omission to perform" can offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. In summary, "failure to make" is a common and acceptable phrase for discussing shortcomings and unmet goals, but clarity and context are crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-completion of

A straightforward term indicating that something was not brought to an end.

inability to achieve

Emphasizes the lack of capacity or power to accomplish a specific goal.

omission to perform

Focuses on the act of neglecting or leaving undone a required action or task.

neglect to complete

Highlights the carelessness or lack of attention in finishing something.

default on carrying out

Implies a failure to fulfill a duty or obligation, particularly in a formal or contractual sense.

deficiency in executing

Indicates a lack of necessary qualities or skills in the process of carrying out something.

shortcoming in producing

Points to a weakness or flaw in the process of creating or generating something.

lapse in undertaking

Suggests a temporary failure or error in the process of starting or engaging in an endeavor.

oversight in implementing

Emphasizes an unintentional failure to properly put something into effect.

breakdown in establishing

Indicates a failure or collapse in the process of setting up or creating something.

FAQs

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

You can use "failure to make" to describe a lack of achievement or production. For example: "The "failure to make progress" on the project led to delays."

What's a formal alternative to "failure to make"?

In a more formal context, you could use "inability to achieve" or "omission to perform" as alternatives to "failure to make".

What does "failure to make" imply?

"Failure to make" implies a lack of success or inability to produce something, whether it's a physical object, progress, or a decision.

How does "failure to make" differ from "refusal to make"?

"Failure to make" suggests an inability or lack of success, while "refusal to make" implies a deliberate choice not to do something. The key difference lies in intent.