we failed to consider

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we failed to consider" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when acknowledging an oversight or a lack of thought regarding a particular issue or factor in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In our analysis of the project, we failed to consider the potential impact of market fluctuations on our revenue projections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Baltimore Ravens 28, New England Patriots 13 In trying to figure out how the Ravens would counter the Patriots' hurry-up offense and quick-strike spread passing game, we failed to consider the most basic formula: hard hitting.

The New York Times

Now, we're seeing what many of these rebels have chosen to do with our weaponry, because we failed to consider who they were, and what might be done with those arms, besides fight Assad.

Huffington Post

Had we failed to consider density effects directly, we would have erroneously concluded the mechanism by which population density exerts its influence on dampening environmentally induced variation in life history traits.

BMC Ecology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But when it comes to climate change, we fail to consider a black swan event that will create significant trauma, as well as transformational opportunities.

The Guardian

And all too often, it is a diagnosis we fail to consider in families that don't match our mental profiles of abusers.

The New York Times - Health

If we fail to consider this kind of progress, North America will be at a competitive disadvantage to Europe, and the U.S. will risk Canada's diverting an increasing share of its natural resources, including oil, to Asia.

Forbes

Accustomed to living in and for the moment, we fail to consider the consequences.

Huffington Post

Yet we fail to consider them in the same conversation as alcohol, opiates and other drugs.

Huffington Post

It sounds frightening but only when we fail to consider the numbers.

Huffington Post

We fail to consider the commonality of prison assaults and military sexual trauma experienced by veterans, mainly because the media doesn't focus on such cases.

Huffington Post

When we fail to consider race we develop solutions like more women on boards, that tend to advantage already privileged women, not those on minimum wage or in insecure work.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we failed to consider", be specific about what was not considered and why it was important. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "we failed to consider" when a simple oversight occurred. Phrases like "we overlooked" or "we didn't notice" can be more appropriate for minor oversights, while "we failed to consider" implies a more significant lapse in judgment or planning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we failed to consider" functions as a statement of acknowledgment, indicating a past oversight or a lack of foresight regarding a specific element or factor. This aligns with the examples Ludwig provides, where the phrase is used to admit a deficiency in planning or analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we failed to consider" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to admit an oversight or lack of foresight, according to Ludwig AI. While relatively uncommon, the phrase appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific sources. When using this phrase, ensure you specify what was not considered and why it matters. Alternatives like "we overlooked" or "we didn't take into account" may be suitable depending on the context. Be mindful of overstating the failure, opting for gentler language when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we overlooked

This alternative indicates a simple oversight, suggesting that something was missed unintentionally.

we neglected to consider

This alternative suggests a lack of attention or care in the act of considering.

we didn't take into account

This phrase emphasizes that a specific factor was not included in the calculation or assessment.

we did not factor in

This highlights the absence of a key element in a broader evaluation or plan.

we underestimated

This implies that the importance or impact of something was not fully appreciated.

we missed

A concise way to say something was not noticed or included.

we didn't foresee

Highlights the lack of anticipation of a certain event or outcome.

we had not anticipated

Similar to "we didn't foresee" but with a slightly more formal tone.

we lost sight of

Suggests that the focus shifted away from a critical element.

we were remiss in not considering

Indicates a fault or negligence in not taking something into account.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "we failed to consider"?

You can use alternatives like "we overlooked", "we didn't take into account", or "we neglected to consider" depending on the context.

Is "we failed to consider" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we failed to consider" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.

How to use "we failed to consider" in a sentence?

You can use "we failed to consider" to acknowledge an oversight or lack of attention to a particular aspect. For example: "In our analysis, we failed to consider the potential impact of inflation."

What's the difference between "we failed to consider" and "we didn't consider"?

"We failed to consider" often implies a more significant oversight or a greater consequence than "we didn't consider". The former suggests that the lack of consideration had a noticeable impact, while the latter is a more neutral statement.