have failed to capitalize

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have failed to capitalize" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing missed opportunities or not taking advantage of a situation. Example: "The company has failed to capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The one place you have failed to capitalize on that is our national defense.

The New York Times

Montero, 21, remains a prized prospect, but he seems to have failed to capitalize on an opportunity that the Yankees all but presented him three weeks ago.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, that's good enough to be within striking distance in the National League East because teams like the Mets have failed to capitalize on the division's mediocrity.

The New York Times - Sports

But since then, rural land reform has not kept pace with urban land reform, which partly explains while farmers have failed to capitalize on the economic gains of the past few decades.

The New York Times

The Conservatives, under William Hague, have failed to capitalize on any of them, and evidence indicates that the more the public sees of the Tories, the more determined it is to keep them out.

The New York Times

Yet the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute issued a report on Monday saying that Afghan businesses have failed to capitalize on the loads of greenbacks that have rained down on the country in the past 13 years.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Adubato said the Liberty had failed to capitalize on its chances down the stretch.

The New York Times - Sports

Although Citi has an expansive international banking presence that dwarfs its rivals, it has failed to capitalize on that, Mr. Mayo said.

The New York Times

Miles Austin (DAL) vs. Philadelphia – Make that two straight weeks in which Miles has failed to capitalize against a weak secondary  (NE, STL).

The New York Times

Yahoo's new chief, Marissa Mayer, said on Monday that Yahoo had failed to capitalize on mobile and must become a predominantly mobile company.

The New York Times - Tech

Usama Young is probably the better athlete of the two, but he has failed to capitalize on countless starting opportunities over his five-year career.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have failed to capitalize", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific opportunity was missed and what the potential benefits of capitalizing on it would have been. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "have failed to capitalize" without specifying the exact opportunity that was missed. Instead of saying "The company has failed to capitalize", specify, for example, "The company has failed to capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly products".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have failed to capitalize" functions as a verb phrase expressing a missed opportunity or a failure to take advantage of available resources. It describes an entity's inability or inaction concerning a potential benefit, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have failed to capitalize" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a missed opportunity or the inability to leverage available resources. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Primarily found in News & Media and occasionally in Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for analytical writing. When using this phrase, it's important to specify the missed opportunity for clarity. Alternatives include "missed the opportunity" and "did not take advantage of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not capitalize on

Similar meaning, but omits the explicit "failed to" for a slightly more concise phrasing.

missed the opportunity

Focuses on the missed chance rather than the active failure to benefit.

did not take advantage of

Emphasizes the lack of action to exploit a favorable situation.

failed to exploit

Highlights the failure to fully utilize available resources or opportunities.

squandered the chance

Implies a wasteful loss of an opportunity, often through negligence.

let the opportunity pass

Suggests a passive failure to act, allowing the chance to slip away.

overlooked the potential

Highlights a failure to recognize the value or possibility present in a situation.

dropped the ball

An idiomatic expression indicating a failure to follow through on a responsibility or opportunity.

left money on the table

Suggests that potential profits or benefits were not realized, often in a business context.

fell short of expectations

Focuses on the failure to meet anticipated outcomes, rather than the missed opportunity itself.

FAQs

What does "have failed to capitalize" mean?

It means someone or something has not taken advantage of an opportunity or resource available to them, resulting in a missed benefit or gain.

What can I say instead of "have failed to capitalize"?

You can use alternatives like "missed the opportunity", "did not take advantage of", or "failed to exploit" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "failed to capitalize" or "did not capitalize"?

Both are correct, but "failed to capitalize" emphasizes the failure aspect more strongly than "did not capitalize".

Can "have failed to capitalize" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "have failed to capitalize" is suitable for formal writing, especially in business or analytical contexts where discussing missed opportunities is relevant. Be sure that the opportunity is clear for the reader.