对于 fail 后接不定式时 fail 是否及物的问题，语言学家的观点并不统一。

有的辞书认为 fail to do sth 中的 fail 是不及物动词，将并 fail to do sth 视为固定搭配（在词典中用粗体字列出），比如朗文、麦克米伦等词典就是这样处理的。

但也有的辞书认为 fail to do sth 中的 fail 是及物动词，认为其后的不定式是宾语，比如韦氏高阶就是这样处理的，该词典对 fail to do sth的解释是 not do sth。现复制该词典的相关内容于下：

2. a [+ object] : to not do (something that you should do or are expected to do)不履行— followed by to + verb接动词不定式

He failed to act on the advice of his staff. [=he should have acted on their advice but he didn't] 他没按照他参谋的建议行事。

He failed to mention his new girlfriend when he spoke to his parents. 在和父母谈话时，他没提及他的新女友。

b: to not do something不做

[+ object] — followed by to + verb接动词不定式

I turned on the switch but the light failed to go on. 我打开了开关，但灯没有亮。

It never fails to surprise me that people can be so gullible. [=I am always surprised that people can be so gullible] 人竟然那么容易上当，这总令我感到惊讶。

Her public appearances rarely fail to attract huge crowds. [=her public appearances almost always attract huge crowds] 每当她出现在公众场合，总会招引来一大群人。

It never fails to rain [=it always rains] when I plan to take a day off. 每次我打算休假天就会下雨。

I fail to see/understand [=I don't see/understand] why we need to change the current system. [=I don't think we need to change it] 我不理解我们为何要改变现有体系。