we failed to notice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we failed to notice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when acknowledging an oversight or something that was overlooked in a situation or context. Example: "In our review of the project, we failed to notice several critical errors that needed to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

West that we failed to notice just how fervid the division became down the stretch.

The New York Times

In our rush for "free" services, we failed to notice how we were being conned.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the dim lighting, we failed to notice that the grass-fed, flat iron steak on the menu was bison, rather than beef.

The New York Times

With all the Google-watching of late, we failed to notice that Friday marked the sixth anniversary of the all-time high for the Nasdaq index.

The New York Times

The interesting thing about the tech companies is that, until recently, we failed to notice that they were just corporations too.

The Guardian - Opinion

In perhaps the frankest admission ever to come out of Brussels, he said: "Obsessed with the idea of instant and total integration, we failed to notice that ordinary people, the citizens of Europe, do not share our Euro enthusiasm".

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Yet we fail to notice".

The Guardian - Film

Often we fail to notice the impact these stories are having on young people".

The Guardian

Of course, sometimes we fail to notice what we do because we are motivated not to notice it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Assembling through music happens all the time, but often we fail to notice how powerful this can be.

University of California, Berkeley

We want to believe this so much that we fail to notice anything that would seem to disprove it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we failed to notice", ensure the context clearly indicates what was missed and why it was important. This provides clarity and demonstrates accountability.

Common error

Avoid consistently using "we failed to notice" in a way that assigns blame without offering solutions or learning. Balance acknowledgement of oversights with forward-looking strategies to prevent future occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we failed to notice" functions as a statement of acknowledgement, typically indicating an oversight or lack of awareness by a group. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and prevalent in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we failed to notice" is a grammatically sound expression used to acknowledge an oversight or lack of awareness. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register. Alternatives such as "we overlooked" or "we were unaware" can be used depending on the specific context. It's important to use this phrase judiciously, balancing acknowledgement with a focus on solutions and future prevention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we didn't realize

Replaces "failed to notice" with a more direct expression of lack of awareness.

we were unaware

Substitutes "failed to notice" with a statement of being uninformed.

we overlooked

Replaces "failed to notice" with a verb that directly implies missing something.

we missed

A simpler, more concise way of saying "we failed to notice".

it escaped our attention

Uses a more formal and indirect way of expressing the oversight.

we didn't catch

An informal way of saying "we failed to notice", implying missing something subtle.

we weren't paying attention

Focuses on the lack of attentiveness as the reason for not noticing.

we were blind to

Emphasizes a complete lack of awareness, as if the information was hidden.

we neglected to observe

A more formal way of saying "we failed to notice", suggesting a duty to observe.

we were remiss in noticing

Implies negligence in failing to notice something important.

FAQs

What does "we failed to notice" mean?

The phrase "we failed to notice" means that a group or individual did not observe, recognize, or become aware of something. It indicates an oversight or a lack of perception.

How can I use "we failed to notice" in a sentence?

You can use it to acknowledge something that was overlooked. For example: "In our initial assessment, "we failed to notice" the severity of the infrastructure damage."

What are some alternatives to "we failed to notice"?

Alternatives include "we overlooked", "we were unaware", or "it escaped our attention", depending on the desired tone and formality.

Is it better to say "we didn't notice" or "we failed to notice"?

Both are acceptable, but "we failed to notice" can imply a greater sense of responsibility or a more significant oversight than "we didn't notice". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.