its failure to answer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "its failure to answer" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation where something or someone did not provide a response or answer as expected. Example: "The committee expressed concern over its failure to answer the critical questions posed during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The book's greatest defect is its failure to answer the question posed by the title.

The New York Times - Books

A draft of the report obtained by The New York Times criticized the Treasury Department for its "shifting explanations" about the underlying purpose of the bailout, its failure to answer many of the panel's questions and its failure to require financial institutions receiving bailout money to fully account for how they are using the public's money.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

In the general war that followed his failure to answer this summons, John had a temporary success at Mirebeau in August 1202, when Arthur of Brittany was captured, but Normandy was quickly lost (1204).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Obama's team has slammed Romney on his desire to "get rid of" funding for Planned Parenthood and his failure to answer a question about whether he would have signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.

Huffington Post

"I take it from your failure to answer the question that you did not do any research," the chair finally concluded, having grilled McVey and the DWP's Chris Hayes, for long enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

It warns: "The failure to answer the English question, and the reality that the largest nation in the Union is still micromanaged from Whitehall, has and will continue to cause tension with the rest of the union.

BBC

Few expect his assessment to differ much from a string of previous reports -- a mix of criticism for Iraq's failure to answer some 30 key questions about its attempts to develop chemical, biological and nuclear weapons and limited praise for steps just taken, like the destruction of the missiles.

The New York Times

Key article: Ed Miliband attacks 'dodgy' PM for failure to answer HSBC tax questions.

The Guardian

"Last year, their failure to answer questions could have been due to genuine ignorance – now it looks like deliberate obfuscation.

The Guardian

That report focused on the Railway Ministry's failure to answer a series of questions about the crash.

The New York Times

Ms. Pressly's failure to answer a wake-up call early on the morning of Oct. 20 prompted her mother to drive to her home.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "its failure to answer", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'its' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "its failure to answer" when a delay or partial response was provided. The phrase is most accurate when there is a complete absence of a response.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "its failure to answer" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the absence of a response or reply, as supported by Ludwig AI's analysis and real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "its failure to answer" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the absence of a response, often implying criticism or concern. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, and is suitable for formal writing. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding what 'its' refers to, and consider alternatives like "its lack of response" or "its inability to respond" depending on the specific connotation. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively use this phrase in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

its non-responsiveness

Highlights that it is not reacting or answering.

its lack of a response

Highlights the absence of any answer or reply.

its inability to respond

Stresses the incapacity to provide an answer, possibly due to limitations.

its omission of a response

Emphasizes the act of leaving out a response, rather than an inability to answer.

its neglect to reply

Focuses on the aspect of not responding, implying a degree of negligence.

its silence on the matter

Implicates a deliberate choice not to speak about a specific issue.

its avoidance of the question

Suggests a conscious effort to steer clear of a particular question.

its refusal to address

Indicates a firm decision not to engage with or answer a question.

its disregard for the inquiry

Highlights a lack of attention or respect for the question asked.

its evasion of a reply

Focuses on skillfully avoiding giving a direct answer.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "its failure to answer"?

You could use phrases like "its lack of response", "its inability to respond", or "its omission of a response" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "its failure to answer" in formal writing?

Yes, "its failure to answer" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in reports, analyses, or legal documents, as it clearly indicates a lack of response or information. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its usage in news and media, and encyclopedic contexts.

What implications does "its failure to answer" suggest?

The phrase "its failure to answer" can imply a variety of reasons for the lack of response, such as negligence, inability, deliberate avoidance, or a lack of information. The specific implication depends heavily on the context in which the phrase is used.

What's the difference between "its failure to answer" and "its refusal to answer"?

"Its failure to answer" indicates a lack of response for any reason, while "its refusal to answer" implies a deliberate choice not to provide a response. Refusal suggests intention, while failure does not necessarily indicate intent.