a failed measure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a failed measure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an attempt or action that did not achieve its intended outcome or goal. Example: "The new policy was implemented, but it turned out to be a failed measure that did not improve employee productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Last year, Mr. Lee bankrolled Proposition 19, a failed measure that would have legalized marijuana in California.

The New York Times

Ms. Snowe played down her vote against the so-called Blunt amendment, a failed measure co-sponsored by Mr. Brown that would have allowed employers to deny health care coverage they deemed objectionable, including contraception for female employees.

The New York Times

But during her news conference, Ms. Warren picked out different parts of Mr. Brown's record, including his vote against the Paycheck Fairness Act, which required that women and men be paid the same for the same work, and his co-sponsorship of the Blunt amendment, a failed measure aimed at allowing employers to deny health care coverage they found objectionable, including birth control.

The New York Times

touts a failed measure.

Huffington Post

It is a failed measure".

The New York Times

Mr. Kerry did vote subsequently to continue those Social Security tax increases, but in May 2003 he supported a failed measure to repeal them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Where the z precision criterion failed, measure a net of rows and columns with twice as fine resolution on those rectangles.

Nanoscale Research Letters

But new research due to be published later this year by the ESSU, has found that in the last 15 years, more than a quarter (28%) have failed – measured by contract terminations, major reductions in scope, and significant operational problems.

The Guardian

Indeed, unlike previous efforts at legalization — including a failed 1972 measure in California — the 2010 campaign will not dwell on assertions of marijuana's harmlessness or its social acceptance, but rather on cold cash.

The New York Times

Newsom supported HOPE, a failed local ballot measure that would have allowed increased condo-conversion rate if a certain percentage of tenants within a building were buying their units.

Wikipedia

It should be obvious that powerful interests are driving what is by any objective measure a failed 30-year experiment – but which transfers income and wealth from workforce, public and state to the corporate sector.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a failed measure", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the measure was intended to achieve and why it failed. Providing specific details enhances clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a failed measure" without providing specific details about the measure itself. Instead of simply stating that something was "a failed measure", explain what the measure was, what it aimed to accomplish, and why it didn't work. This adds depth and credibility to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a failed measure" functions as a noun phrase that describes an action, policy, or attempt that did not achieve its intended purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English and is typically employed to denote ineffectiveness or lack of success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a failed measure" serves as a descriptor for actions or policies that have not achieved their intended objectives. Grammatically sound and commonly employed across a spectrum of writing registers, including news and scientific publications, this expression finds its most frequent usage in the realm of news and media, reflecting its role in analyzing and critiquing events. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While alternatives like "an unsuccessful attempt" and "an ineffective policy" offer nuanced variations, the key to effective use lies in providing specific details to contextualize the failure. By avoiding vagueness and offering clear explanations, writers can strengthen the impact and credibility of their analysis. Although the expression doesn't guarantee success, this measure is unlikely to fail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unsuccessful attempt

Replaces "measure" with "attempt", focusing on the action taken.

a fruitless endeavor

Substitutes "failed measure" with a more evocative description of an effort that yielded no results.

an abortive effort

Uses "abortive" to emphasize the premature termination or failure of the effort.

a measure that backfired

Highlights that the measure not only failed but had negative consequences.

an ineffective policy

Specifies "measure" as "policy", implying a formal or institutional context.

a plan that fell through

Replaces "measure" with "plan", indicating a more strategic initiative that did not succeed.

a misguided initiative

Suggests the failure was due to poor planning or flawed reasoning.

a counterproductive step

Emphasizes the negative consequences of the failed measure.

a sterile approach

Indicates the measure lacked creativity or effectiveness.

a measure that proved inadequate

Focuses on the insufficiency of the measure to achieve its intended goal.

FAQs

How can I use "a failed measure" in a sentence?

You can use "a failed measure" to describe an action or attempt that did not achieve its intended outcome. For example: "The new policy turned out to be "a failed measure" that did not improve employee productivity."

What are some alternatives to saying "a failed measure"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an unsuccessful attempt", "a fruitless endeavor", or "an ineffective policy", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "failed measure" or "unsuccessful measure"?

"Failed measure" is generally preferred because it is more direct and commonly used. While "unsuccessful measure" is grammatically correct, it lacks the impact and clarity of "failed measure".

Can "a failed measure" have positive consequences?

While "a failed measure" primarily denotes a lack of intended success, it can indirectly lead to positive outcomes by highlighting flaws in existing systems or approaches, prompting the development of more effective solutions.