Failure to succeed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Failure to succeed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something does not achieve the desired outcome or goal. Example: "The project faced numerous challenges, leading to a failure to succeed in meeting its objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But how, exactly, does low income result in failure to succeed at school?

The Guardian

But instead of beating himself up about his failure to succeed in those industries, he did something important: he noticed what he actually cared about.

Harvard Business Review

This carpentry was the grandest thing about the house, and his failure to succeed at piano lessons, though he took them for years, was the most distinct disappointment he made his mother suffer.

The New Yorker

He is too consumed by the belief that his failure to succeed, and to inculcate success in his sons, has somehow disqualified him for full membership in the human race.

The New York Times

Reick later blamed the index and the cascade of other features for his failure to succeed at The Sun. Ochs proved right in thinking the index would become invaluable to a select group.

The New York Times

"For the 2,800 women who were members of the class," Ms. Friedman said in an interview yesterday, "it's vindication to know that their failure to succeed was the result of class-wide discrimination".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In trying to understand and to overcome our emotional distress and failures, and to succeed in our lives, we must take the time to look at ourselves in a caring and empathic fashion.

Huffington Post

Failure motivates me to succeed, because without failure, success just wouldn't have the vice grip on my heart as it does now.

Huffington Post

In spring 2002, on his weekly radio program, he continued the thought, saying that so-called social promotion ultimately resulted in the failure of children to succeed in the workplace as adults.

The New York Times

Through sport, we have to put ourselves out there and make ourselves vulnerable to failure in order to succeed.

Huffington Post

"I think I am more motivated by fear of failure than a desire to succeed," she admitted.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Failure to succeed", ensure the context clearly indicates what the expected success was and why it wasn't achieved. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "Failure to succeed" repeatedly to describe situations that are already obviously negative. Vary your language to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding overly pessimistic. Instead, focus on reasons and potential solutions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Failure to succeed" functions as a noun phrase, often used to describe a situation or event where an expected or desired outcome was not achieved. It emphasizes the unsuccessful attempt to reach a goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Failure to succeed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an unsuccessful attempt to achieve a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms it is usable. While not overly common, it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, with some presence in scientific and formal business writing. The phrase serves to highlight situations where efforts aimed at success have fallen short. Related phrases include "lack of success" and "inability to achieve success". When using the phrase, be specific about the context of the expected success to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lack of success

Simple noun phrase, focusing on the absence of positive results.

Inability to achieve success

Emphasizes the lack of capability to reach a successful outcome.

Unsuccessful attempt

Highlights a specific effort that did not yield the desired result.

Failure to accomplish the goal

Focuses on not reaching a specific objective or target.

Non-attainment of success

More formal, highlighting the lack of reaching a successful state.

Falling short of expectations

Emphasizes the failure to meet anticipated or desired outcomes.

Defeat

A single word, that means losing or not succeeding.

Abortive attempt

Stresses the unsuccessful and often prematurely terminated nature of an effort.

Fiasco

Highlights a complete and often embarrassing failure.

To be foiled

Express the lack of success in an elegant way.

FAQs

How can I use "Failure to succeed" in a sentence?

You can use "Failure to succeed" to describe situations where a specific goal was not achieved, like "The company's "failure to succeed" in the new market led to significant losses".

What phrases are similar to "Failure to succeed"?

Alternatives include "lack of success", "inability to achieve success", or "unsuccessful attempt". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "Failure to succeed" redundant?

While "Failure" inherently implies a lack of success, the phrase "Failure to succeed" can be used for emphasis or to clarify that a particular attempt at success was unsuccessful. Its effectiveness depends on context.

Which is more appropriate: "Failure to succeed" or "Lack of effort"?

The choice depends on the reason for the lack of success. "Failure to succeed" describes the outcome, while "Lack of effort" suggests the cause. For instance, "Their "failure to succeed" was due to a "lack of effort"".