fail to include

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   to not put something in, when it should have been there

   Grammar: Used with an object: fail to include a name. The object usually comes after include.

   Patterns

   • fail to include something
   • fail to include something in something
   • something fails to include something

   The report fails to include the figures for last year.

   Your essay failed to include a conclusion, so you lost marks.

   The new edition fails to include several important papers.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   to not mention or name someone as part of a group or list

   Grammar: Often used about people left out of a team, list, or plan.

   Patterns

   • fail to include someone
   • fail to include someone in something

   The organizers failed to include her in the list of speakers.

   They failed to include any women in the survey.

Common combinations

fail to include details

The summary fails to include details about the cost.

fail to include a reference

Many students fail to include a reference for each source.

fail to include information

The form failed to include information about deadlines.

fail to include someone in something

They failed to include him in the discussion.

Synonyms and how they differ

omit

Omit is shorter and often used in formal writing; it means the same but does not need 'to'.

leave out

Leave out is more informal and common in speech; it is a phrasal verb.

exclude

Exclude often suggests a deliberate decision to keep someone or something out.

Opposites

Word family

inclusion noun

the act of including someone or something

inclusive adjective

including everyone or everything

Commonly confused: fail to include or fail to mention?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “fail to include”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words