has failed to obtain

USAGE SUMMARY

"has failed to obtain" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that someone or something did not succeed in acquiring or achieving a specific goal or item. Example: "The company has failed to obtain the necessary permits for construction." Alternative expressions include "has not succeeded in acquiring" and "has been unable to secure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

However, trade publication The Ends Report discovered that GCHQ has failed to obtain such a permit.

The Guardian

He has failed to obtain the support of either senator from Oregon.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even when the government has failed to obtain convictions, it succeeded in collecting the taxes through civil enforcement.

The New York Times

In Britain, the movement has failed to obtain charitable status but it does enjoy tax breaks as a non-profit organisation.

The Economist

Ta Ann does not have FSC certification, and has failed to obtain full verification of the legality of its Sarawak concession under the independent "Verified Legal Origin" scheme.

The Economist

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 16 — The United States has failed to obtain a General Assembly resolution focused on rape used by governments and armed groups to achieve political and military objectives.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

According to the government-filed complaint, Hovensa made changes to its petroleum refinery that increased its emissions, after having failed to obtain pre-construction permits, and failing to install required pollution control equipment there.

TechCrunch

The Interior Ministry said the group, the Center for Protecting Human Rights, had failed to obtain a valid operating permit.

The New York Times

But Wolsey, having failed to obtain an annulment for the King, was soon dismissed.

The New Yorker

"They complained that we had failed to obtain approval from the commission," Mr. Anderson said.

The New York Times

Having failed to obtain the requisite 60% affirmative vote, the proposals were declared defeated.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The present perfect tense here is ideal for reporting a current state resulting from past events, making it highly effective for news reporting and executive summaries.

Common error

Do not use "has failed to obtain" to describe abstract internal achievements like happiness or enlightenment. In these cases, use "failed to find" or "has not reached", as obtain implies a tangible or legal acquisition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has failed to obtain" serves as a present perfect verb phrase followed by a to-infinitive. It functions as the predicate of a sentence, indicating a negative outcome of an action that began in the past and continues to be true. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is grammatically standard and widely accepted for reporting non-compliance or unsuccessful acquisitions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

3%

Informal Speech

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "has failed to obtain" is a precise and robust phrase used extensively in professional English. Ludwig AI demonstrates its dominance in news and legal reporting, specifically regarding the non-fulfillment of necessary conditions like permits, consent or signatures. While it is formal, it remains clear and objective, making it the preferred choice for writers who need to document a lack of progress or a failure to meet regulatory standards without necessarily sounding overly accusatory. For more abstract goals, consider using alternatives like "has not achieved" or "failed to attain".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been unable to secure

Emphasizes the difficulty or lack of success in a competitive or official context.

has failed to acquire

Often used in commercial or technical contexts regarding assets or property.

has not succeeded in getting

More informal and focuses on the outcome of the attempt.

has failed to gain

Suggests a struggle to win over support, an advantage or entry.

did not manage to obtain

Changes the tense to simple past and suggests an effort was made.

failed to procure

Sounds more administrative or relates specifically to the acquisition of supplies.

has yet to receive

Implies a more passive state and leaves open the possibility of future success.

has not been granted

Focuses on the authority figure who denied the request rather than the applicant.

has failed to elicit

Specific to obtaining a response, reaction or information from others.

has not attained

Used more for reaching a level, a standard or an abstract goal.

FAQs

How do I use "has failed to obtain" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a missing requirement, such as: "The developer "has failed to obtain" the necessary environmental permits."

What is a more formal way to say "has failed to obtain"?

A highly formal alternative is "has been unable to secure", which is frequently used in legal and business documentation.

Is it better to use "has failed to obtain" or "did not obtain"?

Use "has failed to obtain" when the failure has immediate relevance to the present situation. Use "did not obtain" for a completed event in the past with no direct link to the current moment.

Can I say "has failed to get" instead?

Yes, but "has failed to get" is more colloquial. In professional writing, stick with "has failed to obtain" for a more authoritative tone.