failure to predict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to predict" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the inability to foresee an event or outcome, often in analytical or evaluative discussions. Example: "The failure to predict the market crash led to significant financial losses for many investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Within this framework the MMN would result from a failure to predict bottom-up input and consequently to suppress prediction error [ 15- 17].

Behavioral and Brain Functions

In this view, the MMN represents a failure to predict bottom-up input and consequently a failure to suppress prediction error.

Clinical Neurophysiology

Given the immense technological resources available, the failure to predict the Arab Spring looks far more remarkable than the failure to predict the fall of the Soviet Union.

MIT Technology Review

"The record of failure to predict recessions is virtually unblemished," he said.

The Guardian - Money

Even the Queen of England has demanded that economists explain their failure to predict the crisis.

The New York Times

Perhaps the CIA's failure to predict the Soviet Union's collapse seemed suddenly less burdensome.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The recovery, and his political rivals' failure to predict it, has enshrined the plan as sacred and inflexible.

The Economist

Detractors of meta-analysis may argue that there has been a 'spectacular failure... to predict the outcomes of subsequent large scale RCTs'.

Critical Care

Much ink has been spilled condemning the press's failure to predict the election of President Donald Trump.

HuffPost

So was it a failure to predict outcomes or a strategy of neglect?

Huffington Post

The Sturgis review commissioned by the British Polling Council in the aftermath of the general election identified sampling as the biggest cause of the failure to predict the eventual result.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure to predict", clearly state what specific event or outcome was not predicted and, if possible, the consequences of this failure.

Common error

Avoid using "failure to predict" without specifying what was not predicted. Being specific enhances clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to predict" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the instance or state of not being able to foresee an event or outcome, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

42%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failure to predict" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to describe situations where an event or outcome was not foreseen. According to Ludwig, it's often found in neutral to formal contexts such as news articles, scientific publications, and academic discussions. While the phrase is generally well-regarded, clarity can be enhanced by explicitly stating what specific event was not predicted. Consider using alternatives like "inability to foresee" or "missed forecast" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inability to foresee

Focuses on the general lack of capacity to see into the future.

failed to anticipate

Similar to "failure to predict", but emphasizes the lack of proactive preparation.

missed forecast

Specifically refers to an inaccurate or incorrect prediction.

could not foresee

Indicates an inability to see an event before it happens.

lack of anticipation

Emphasizes the absence of preparatory action or expectation.

was not predicted

Highlights the fact that something did not get predicted.

unforeseen outcome

Highlights the unexpected nature of the result.

unpredicted event

Focuses on the fact that event was not predicted.

incorrect projection

Specifies that forecast was simply wrong.

shortsightedness

Indicates a lack of foresight and planning.

FAQs

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

You can use "failure to predict" to describe situations where an expected outcome did not occur. For example, "The economist's failure to predict the recession led to widespread criticism."

What are some alternatives to "failure to predict"?

Alternatives include "inability to foresee", "lack of anticipation", or "missed forecast", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "failure to predict" and "failed to predict" are grammatically correct, but they function differently. "Failure to predict" is a noun phrase, while "failed to predict" is a verb phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure.

What's the difference between "failure to predict" and "failure to prevent"?

"Failure to predict" refers to the inability to foresee an event, while "failure to prevent" indicates an inability to stop an event from happening. They are distinct concepts, though sometimes related.