failure to notify

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to notify" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone did not inform another party about something important, often in legal or formal situations. Example: "The contract stipulates that a failure to notify the other party of any changes may result in penalties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The offence of failure to notify carries a maximum penalty of £5,000.

The Guardian - Business

The remote possibility of increased damages for failure to notify will not change that.

The Guardian - Opinion

The C.I.A.'s failure to notify Congress or to control our "assets" in Guatemala was deadly.

The New York Times

Mr. Crowley acknowledged a failure to notify Congress about the decision to bypass the statute.

The New York Times

Most reprehensible of all was Washington's failure to notify the govt. of Thailand of our intentions.

The New Yorker

Mr. Netanyahu's statement blamed technical reasons for the failure to notify Mr. Lieberman.

The New York Times

The N.C.A.A.'s letter emphasized Tressel's failure to notify the university of the infractions.

The New York Times - Sports

Second, it suggests a failure to notify should increase the damages if the victim is successful at trial.

The Guardian - Opinion

Failure to notify authorities about child abuse is punishable by up to a year in prison and possibly a fine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The bills would also expand the range of manufacturers who have to provide notification, and would punish failures to notify with civil fines that could reach $1.8 million under the House version.

The New York Times

The Lao government's failure formally to notify its Mekong partners about the construction, allowing the dam to proceed under the radar, clearly undermines the credibility of the MRC's consultation processes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In everyday writing, consider whether a simpler phrase like "didn't inform" or "neglected to tell" might be more appropriate and easier for your audience to understand.

Common error

Avoid using "failure to notify" without specifying who failed to notify whom and about what. For instance, instead of saying "the failure to notify caused problems", specify "the company's failure to notify customers about the recall led to safety concerns."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to notify" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of not informing someone, often highlighting a breach of duty or obligation as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failure to notify" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase that signifies a lack of communication, often with implications of responsibility or negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in formal contexts, especially within legal, business, and news domains. It is important to use the phrase precisely, clearly stating who failed to notify whom and about what. Alternatives such as "omission to inform" or "lack of notification" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. To avoid vagueness, always specify the parties involved and the subject of the notification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of notification

Replaces "failure" with "lack", focusing on the absence of the notification itself. This is a structural change.

omission to inform

Replaces "failure" with "omission", emphasizing the act of leaving something out rather than a lack of action. Stresses the lack of informing.

neglect to report

Substitutes "failure" with "neglect", suggesting a careless oversight in reporting something. Emphasis on the negligent aspect.

non-disclosure

A more formal term, indicating a deliberate withholding of information. This highlights the action of not disclosing.

default of notice

A formal and somewhat legalistic term for not providing the required notice. It has legal implications.

unreported

A concise way to indicate that something was not reported, often implying it should have been. A simple replacement in terms.

oversight in communication

Highlights the unintentional nature of the failure, suggesting it was an error in the communication process. Refers to communication in general.

withholding notification

Places emphasis on the act of actively preventing the notification from occurring. Highlights intentionality.

forgotten to announce

Indicates that an announcement was not made due to forgetfulness. It's less formal and suggests a memory lapse.

absence of communication

Focuses on the total lack of any communication, rather than a specific failure to notify. It's a broader term.

FAQs

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

You can use "failure to notify" to describe situations where someone neglects to inform another party about something important. For example, "The company's failure to notify its employees of the policy change resulted in confusion."

What are some alternatives to "failure to notify"?

Alternatives include "omission to inform", "neglect to report", "lack of notification", or "non-disclosure", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "failure to notify" and "failure to inform"?

While similar, "failure to notify" often implies a formal requirement or obligation to inform someone, whereas "failure to inform" is a more general term. For instance, you might have a "failure to notify" the authorities about a crime, but a "failure to inform" a friend about a party.

What legal implications can arise from a "failure to notify"?

A "failure to notify" can have significant legal consequences, particularly in contractual agreements, regulatory compliance, and safety protocols. It can lead to fines, penalties, lawsuits, and other legal repercussions depending on the specific context and governing laws.