failure to uphold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure to uphold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is not maintaining a standard, promise, or obligation. Example: "The committee's failure to uphold the agreed-upon standards led to significant issues in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Nasrin's case, among others, is making Iran's failure to uphold basic human rights increasingly obvious.

The Guardian - Opinion

That itself constitutes a failure to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States.

The New York Times

At this point, this lawsuit is over the union's failure to uphold its duty to one of its members".

The New York Times - Sports

Conspicuous failure to uphold those values, such as violent or criminal behaviour, will lead to the visa being automatically cancelled".

The Guardian

The United States' failure to uphold its own standards would embolden dictators and despots to restrict the media in their own countries.

The New Yorker

There have been warnings that failure to uphold the impeachment vote would be a betrayal of the South Korean people and could lead to civil unrest.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

According to Harper there has been a "sea change", in that culture has become an increasingly invalid excuse for failures to uphold human rights.

The Guardian

As we see Ms. Nowak tout the college's poor track record on "diversity and inclusion" on page 2 its statement alongside increasing violence against women and people of color on campus, we also see Hartwick's failures to uphold the values it promotes as it institutionalizes unsafe spaces.

Huffington Post

The report, which was leaked last week, accused the government of "failure at critical moments to uphold the rule of law" and of tolerating arbitrary arrests and human-rights violations.

The New York Times

The Scottish National party, which has led calls for the UK to come clean about the use of cluster bombs, said it was a "shameful stain on the UK's foreign policy and its relationship with Saudi Arabia, as well as a failure by this government to uphold its legal treaty obligations".

The Guardian

The result predictably values the rights of corporations over the needs of workers and fails to address the most glaring weakness of past trade deals: the utter failure of the parties to uphold their commitments to respect workers' rights.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "failure to uphold", ensure the context clearly defines what standard, law, or principle was not upheld. Specificity strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "failure to uphold" without specifying what was meant to be upheld. For instance, instead of saying "the company's failure to uphold", specify "the company's failure to uphold its environmental regulations".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure to uphold" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject of a sentence or clause. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and usable in written English, denoting a deficiency in maintaining a standard, promise, or obligation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failure to uphold" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression denoting a deficiency in maintaining a standard, principle, or law. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to highlight shortcomings and assign accountability. Alternatives such as "dereliction of duty" or "breach of commitment" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When employing "failure to uphold", it's crucial to specify what standard was unmet to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity. Its frequent usage and consistent application across various authoritative sources underscore its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dereliction of duty

Emphasizes a neglectful failure to perform one's responsibilities.

default on obligation

Indicates a failure to meet a mandatory requirement or debt.

breach of commitment

Highlights breaking a prior promise or commitment.

neglect to maintain

Focuses on the act of neglecting something that requires maintenance.

lack of enforcement

Emphasizes the absence of enforcing a rule or law.

non-compliance with

Stresses the absence of adherence to rules or standards.

lapse in adherence

Focuses on a temporary slip or failure in sticking to something.

omission to defend

Highlights the act of omitting the defense of something.

disregard for principle

Highlights ignoring or showing a lack of respect for a fundamental belief.

inability to preserve

Highlights the incapacity to maintain something in its current condition.

FAQs

What does "failure to uphold" mean?

The phrase "failure to uphold" signifies a lack of adherence to a standard, law, principle, or commitment. It implies a responsibility or expectation that has not been met.

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

You can use "failure to uphold" to describe a situation where someone or something has not maintained a required standard. For example, "The government's "failure to uphold" its promises led to widespread discontent".

What can I say instead of "failure to uphold"?

You can use alternatives like "neglect to maintain", "dereliction of duty", or "breach of commitment", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "failure to uphold" and "failure to enforce"?

"Failure to uphold" refers to not maintaining a standard or principle, while "failure to enforce" /s/failure+to+enforce specifically refers to not applying or implementing a rule or law. The former is broader, while the latter is more specific to rules and regulations.