that fail to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that fail to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not succeed in achieving a particular outcome or meeting a specific requirement. Example: "The results of the experiment were disappointing, as many of the samples that fail to meet the quality standards were discarded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nerve cells that fail to establish connections die.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Schools that fail to show "adequate yearly progress" face penalties.

The Economist

Those that fail to do so are fined.

The Economist

It is schools that fail to educate would-be workers.

The Economist

Fines are threatened for networks that fail to comply.

The New York Times

Boards of directors that fail to comply face jail terms.

The Guardian

The world is littered with high-tech enclaves that fail to flourish.

The Economist

He thinks that even pro-Western autocracies that fail to reform deserve to die.

The Economist

b) Schools that fail to promote mindfulness, ethics and self-esteem.

The New York Times

Businesses that fail to carry on a conversation with their target audience are doomed to fail.

The New York Times

He has several irritating experiences with laundries that fail to collect & deliver at a specified time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that fail to", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what is expected or intended, providing context for the failure. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, excessive use of "that fail to" can make writing sound monotonous. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "which do not" or "that are unable to" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that fail to" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun and indicating a lack of success or inability. As Ludwig AI shows, this structure is widely applicable across various domains, adding descriptive detail to the subject in question.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that fail to" functions as a relative clause to describe something that does not succeed. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread use across different contexts, from scientific literature to news articles. While grammatically sound, varying sentence structure is advisable to avoid monotony. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to ensure clarity by specifying what is expected when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that neglect to

This alternative emphasizes a lack of attention or responsibility in performing an action.

that neglect doing

Similar to "that neglect to", this option uses a gerund to convey neglected action.

that omit to

This alternative focuses on the act of leaving something out or not including it.

that neglect performing

This alternative suggests a lack of proper execution.

that decline to

This alternative emphasizes a refusal or unwillingness to perform an action.

that cannot

This option is more concise, expressing an inability to perform an action.

that don't

A contraction that is a less formal alternative to "that do not".

that do not

A simple and direct alternative expressing the lack of an action or result.

that prove unable to

This alternative highlights the inability to achieve a specific outcome, emphasizing a demonstrated lack of capacity.

that turn unable to

This alternative emphasizes an eventual inability to perform something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that fail to" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "that do not", "which do not", or "that are unable to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "that fail to" or "that fails to"?

"That fail to" is used when referring to a plural subject, while "that fails to" is used with a singular subject. For example, "Schools that fail to educate" versus "A school that fails to educate."

What's the difference between "that fail to" and "that failed to"?

"That fail to" refers to a present or ongoing situation, while "that failed to" refers to a past situation. For example, "Businesses that fail to adapt are at risk" versus "Businesses that failed to adapt went bankrupt."

How to use "that fail to" in a sentence?

You can use "that fail to" to describe something that does not succeed in achieving a particular outcome or meeting a specific requirement. For example: "The results of the experiment were disappointing, as many of the samples "that fail to" meet the quality standards were discarded."