a collection of failures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collection of failures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a group or series of unsuccessful attempts or outcomes in various contexts, such as personal experiences, projects, or experiments. Example: "After reviewing the project, it became clear that we had created a collection of failures rather than a successful product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So I asked the Coens whether they see the world as a collection of failures, or themselves as such, and whether they harbor reservations about their own successful film careers.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That dichotomy can be seen in the Association for Computing Machinery Risks Forum newsgroup, a collection of e-mails reporting computer failures and foibles that Dr. Neumann has edited since 1985.

The New York Times - Science

"You're going to get killed on this," he warned, and in fact it would become another in the governor's first-year collection of failures.

The New York Times

We have always been a collection of communities, learning together in our failures and rising together in our successes.

The New York Times

This was Thinker, Failure, Soldier, Jailer, a collection of obituaries from the Daily Telegraph, the paper that first started printing warts and all descriptions of the dead.

The Guardian

The way forward is to embrace failures by releasing data and the algorithms to the open source community so that a collection of minds can build this future.

TechCrunch

A collection of sonnets?

Independent

A collection of songs?

The New Yorker

A collection of Tintin comics.

The New York Times - Books

A collection of hangers on.

The New York Times - Sports

He has filmed a collection of artists.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a collection of failures", provide specific examples or details to illustrate the nature and impact of the failures. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument or narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "a collection of failures" without specifying the context or area in which these failures occurred. Be precise about what failed to prevent ambiguity and ensure the phrase is meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collection of failures" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies a group of unsuccessful attempts or outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatical and readily understandable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a collection of failures" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a group of unsuccessful attempts or outcomes. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is readily understandable and usable in various contexts. While the phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Science sources, it maintains a neutral to formal register suitable for professional and academic discussions. Alternatives such as "a series of setbacks" or "a catalog of errors" can be used to emphasize different aspects of the failures. When using the phrase, it's best practice to provide specific examples to enhance clarity. Overall, "a collection of failures" serves as a concise and effective way to categorize multiple unsuccessful attempts, promoting further analysis and learning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a series of setbacks

This alternative emphasizes the sequential nature of the failures, highlighting the challenges faced over time.

a catalog of errors

This option focuses on the mistakes made, presenting them in a structured, list-like manner.

an accumulation of defeats

This phrase emphasizes the negative outcomes and the feeling of being overcome by failure.

a history of unsuccessful attempts

This alternative highlights the repeated efforts that did not yield the desired results.

a litany of mistakes

This phrase suggests a long and often recited list of errors or failures.

a cluster of unfortunate events

This option broadens the scope to include events that contributed to the failures, not just the failures themselves.

a compilation of flops

This alternative uses a more informal term ('flops') to describe the failures, making it suitable for less formal contexts.

a string of mishaps

This phrase emphasizes the accidental or unintentional nature of the failures.

a portfolio of losses

This option is suitable when discussing financial or business-related failures.

an anthology of fiascos

This alternative uses a stronger, more dramatic term ('fiascos') to describe particularly embarrassing or complete failures.

FAQs

How can I use "a collection of failures" in a sentence?

You can use "a collection of failures" to describe a series of unsuccessful attempts or outcomes. For example, "The project review revealed "a collection of failures" in the marketing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "a collection of failures"?

Alternatives include "a series of setbacks", "a catalog of errors", or "an accumulation of defeats", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a collection of failures" or "a series of failures"?

Both "a collection of failures" and "a series of failures" are grammatically correct. "A collection of failures" emphasizes the grouping of unsuccessful attempts, while "a series of failures" highlights their sequential nature. The choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.

What is the difference between "a collection of failures" and "a history of failures"?

"A collection of failures" typically refers to a specific set of unsuccessful attempts or outcomes within a defined context. In contrast, "a history of failures" suggests a pattern of repeated failures over a longer period or across different situations.