had failed to answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had failed to answer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone did not respond to a question or request in the past. Example: "Despite multiple attempts to reach him, he had failed to answer any of my calls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

It added that TRW had failed to answer many questions.

The New York Times

She said she was far from satisfied with the Prime Minister's response, claiming he had failed to answer the question.

Independent

This paper solved a riddle that many economists had failed to answer: what is an option worth?

The Economist

Speaking after the inquest relatives thanked the jury but said the two month hearing had failed to answer key questions.

The Guardian

But Gov. Bill Haslam announced this week that he had decided against the idea because the Obama administration had failed to answer numerous operational questions.

The New York Times

He also said that some cable subscribers had complained that Adelphia had failed to answer customer complaints within the required time period.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

That Mr Miliband has failed to answer it is not only a presentational issue.

The Economist

Despite exhaustive inquiries, reporters have failed to answer what might be called the Francis Fukuyama question.

The Guardian

The West has failed to answer their pleas; it is the Syrians, and their hosts, who are taking the strain.

Independent

There are a lot of questions the government has failed to answer about the seriousness of redefining marriage.

Independent

The question is one the Liberian government has failed to answer since the end of the civil war a decade ago.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "didn't respond" or "did not reply" for variety and conciseness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid overuse by rephrasing sentences to be more direct. Instead of "the question had failed to be answered by him", try "he did not answer the question".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had failed to answer" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating a completed action of not providing an answer before a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is valid and widely used in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had failed to answer" is a grammatically correct and commonly used past perfect verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for indicating a past lack of response. It's prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts, and while versatile, it's crucial to provide clear context about the unanswered question. For stylistic variation, alternatives such as "did not respond" or "had not replied" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not answer

This alternative is a more concise way of saying someone didn't provide an answer.

didn't respond

This alternative focuses on the lack of a response, not specifically an answer.

had not replied

This alternative implies a lack of written or formal response.

had not addressed

This alternative suggests a failure to deal with a question or issue directly.

had left unanswered

This alternative emphasizes that the question remained unresolved.

had ignored

This alternative suggests an intentional disregard for the question.

had evaded the question

This alternative means someone deliberately avoided answering the question.

did not clarify

This alternative emphasizes a lack of clarification or explanation.

had not elucidated

This alternative is a more formal way of saying someone didn't make something clear.

had not given a response

This alternative is a more verbose way of saying someone didn't respond.

FAQs

What does "had failed to answer" mean?

The phrase "had failed to answer" means someone did not provide an answer or response to a question or inquiry at some point in the past.

What are some alternatives to "had failed to answer"?

You can use alternatives like "did not answer", "didn't respond", or "had not replied", depending on the context.

Is "had failed to answer" formal or informal?

The phrase "had failed to answer" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider alternatives like "did not answer" for a more concise option in informal settings.

How can I use "had failed to answer" in a sentence?

Example: "The company "had failed to answer" the reporter's questions about the environmental impact assessment."