■ failure

这个名词本身的含义是“失败”。

• The plan is doomed to end in failure.计划注定要以失败告终。

但由于 fail to inf. 表示“该做而没有做”，因而 fail 派生的名词 failure 在后面加上 to inf. 也同样有这样的含义，而与“失败”离开很远了。

• Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, fire or electrical shock.如果不遵守这些用法说明，可能造成死亡、火灾或触电。
• They were criticized for their failure to protect their clients' interests.他们由于没有保护自己客户的利益而受到批评。
• Failure to submit this form will disqualify you from applying for financial aid.如果不提交这个表格，你就会失去申请经济补助的资格。

failure of + 抽象名词，表示缺少了某种良好的素质。

• he had detected with a critical eye more than one failure of perfect symmetry in her form... (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Chapter Six)他带着挑剔的眼光，发觉她的身段这儿也不匀称，那儿也不匀称…