a big failure of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big failure of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant shortcoming or lack of success related to a specific subject or event. Example: "The project was ultimately deemed a big failure of management and planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Evidently, nobody took any of this into account an oversight that amounts to a big failure of leadership.

The New Yorker

But it was marketed as an action movie and it didn't do big box office, which hurt, because it looked like we'd made a big failure of an action movie, whereas in actual fact it's a true-life story of a guy who was a drug addict, reformed, became a born-again Christian and ended up building an orphanage in Sudan.

Independent

"A big failure of the Democrats is they have not explained the farm bill has broader economic and social implications," Schmidt said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"It's a big failure on the part of the labor movement," said Greg W. Giebel, the school's first provost and until recently president of its adjunct faculty union.

The New York Times

Dr. Fatima Aziz, a Parliament member from Kunduz Province, which borders Takhar, called Sunday's attack "a big failure on the part of the government and intelligence" for failing to provide adequate security for the meeting.

The New York Times

He quotes Greg W. Giebel, the school's first provost on the sale, "It's a big failure on the part of the labor movement.

Huffington Post

CNN's Jake Tapper recently told The Huffington Post that reporters from McClatchy -- then part of the Knight Ridder newspaper chain -- did "amazing work," but said he still believed there was a "big failure" on the part of the press.

Huffington Post

But it was a big failure and only seven of the 13 episodes were shown before it was pulled.

The Guardian

Those who can afford to are being choosy about who provides them credit, says Philippe Bonnefoy of Cedar Partners, a London investment firm.Nonetheless, regulators and central banks are watching, alert to the risk of a big failure with potential ripple effects.

The Economist

The European Parliament is the "big failure" of the European project, says one senior EU official.

The Economist

But the four hundred and fifty thousand Americans already in jail for breaking the drug laws also represent a failure of justice, and an even bigger failure of policy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using this phrase. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "a significant failure" may be more appropriate in professional or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a big failure of" without specifying the cause or responsible party. For example, saying "it was a big failure of something" leaves the reader questioning what exactly went wrong and who is accountable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big failure of" functions as a noun phrase that describes a significant lack of success or a major shortcoming. It often precedes a noun indicating the specific area or entity that experienced the failure. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big failure of" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a significant lack of success or major shortcoming. As determined by Ludwig AI, it commonly appears in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for conveying objective information. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly failed and avoid overly casual language in formal settings. Consider alternatives like "a significant failure of" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant failure of

Replaces "big" with "significant", emphasizing the importance or impact of the failure.

a major failing in

Substitutes "failure" with "failing" and "of" with "in", altering the noun form and preposition.

a considerable deficiency in

Uses "deficiency" instead of "failure", indicating a lack or inadequacy; more formal.

a substantial shortcoming in

Replaces "failure" with "shortcoming", highlighting an imperfection or defect.

a critical lapse in

Uses "lapse" instead of "failure", suggesting a temporary slip or error.

a grave error in

Emphasizes the seriousness of the failure with "grave error".

a profound lack of

Shifts the focus to the absence of something essential, rather than a direct failure.

an egregious fault in

Highlights the conspicuous and reprehensible nature of the failure using "egregious".

a monumental blunder regarding

Emphasizes the scale and foolishness of the mistake with "monumental blunder".

a disastrous oversight concerning

Focuses on the negligence aspect using "oversight" and emphasizes the negative consequences with "disastrous".

FAQs

What are some synonyms for "a big failure of"?

Alternatives include "a significant failure of", "a major failing in", or "a considerable deficiency in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "a big failure of" in a sentence?

This phrase is typically used to describe a significant shortcoming or lack of success. For example: "The project was seen as "a big failure of" planning and execution."

Is "a big failure of" too informal for academic writing?

While not strictly incorrect, "a big failure of" may be considered informal for some academic contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "a significant failure of" or "a major shortcoming in" in those situations.

What's the difference between "a big failure of" and "a major failure of"?

Both phrases are similar in meaning, but "a major failure of" may sound slightly more formal and impactful than "a big failure of". The choice depends on the desired tone and context.