a failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a failure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to describe something that did not work out as planned or desired. For example, "The project was a failure due to lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— a failure.

The New Yorker

It is a failure.

The New Yorker

I was a failure.

Forbes

It's a failure!

The New York Times

Was it a failure?

The New Yorker

"Feel like a failure".

The New York Times

It's also a failure.

The New York Times

Divorce is a failure.

The New York Times

Was Sebelius a failure?

The New Yorker

Theroux felt like a failure.

The New Yorker

You are not a failure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When applying this phrase to a person, be mindful that it often carries a heavy emotional weight. In professional settings, consider using more specific terms like "did not meet targets" or "underperformed."

Common error

Writers often confuse the count noun "a failure" with the abstract non-count noun "failure". Use "a failure" when referring to a specific instance (e.g., "that mission was a failure"), but use the abstract noun "failure" when discussing the general concept (e.g., "failure is the pillar of success"). Adding the article "a" to the abstract concept can make the sentence sound clunky or grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

In English, "a failure" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as a subject complement following a linking verb (like "to be" or "to feel"). As noted in Ludwig AI data, it is frequently used to categorize the outcome of an event or the perceived status of a person.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a failure" is a versatile and standard English expression used to denote an unsuccessful outcome or entity. Based on analysis from Ludwig AI, it appears across a vast range of high-authority sources, particularly in journalism where it describes political movements, military operations and commercial products. While grammatically simple, it is rhetorically powerful; it can be used both as a clinical assessment in a business report and as a poignant expression of personal distress. Writers should be careful to distinguish between the count noun used for specific instances and the abstract noun used for general concepts. Alternatives like "a setback" or "an omission" may be preferred when a more nuanced or less judgmental tone is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a non-success

a more clinical and neutral euphemism, often used in professional or academic reporting

a fiasco

emphasizes a complete, often humiliating or ridiculous failure

a disappointment

shifts the focus toward the emotional response of others rather than the event itself

a disaster

implies a failure with catastrophic or highly damaging consequences

a flop

more informal, often used specifically for entertainment or commercial products that fail to attract an audience

a defeat

suggests a failure in a competitive context, such as sports, war or politics

a setback

implies a temporary or partial failure that can potentially be overcome

a breakdown

often refers to the failure of a specific system, process or piece of equipment

a deficiency

suggests a failure caused by a lack of a specific necessary quality or ingredient

an omission

refers specifically to a failure of action or neglect

FAQs

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

You can use "a failure" to describe an unsuccessful attempt or person. For example, "The peace talks ended as "a failure" despite months of negotiation."

What can I use instead of "a failure"?

Depending on the context, you can use more specific terms like "a disappointment", "a setback" or "a fiasco".

What is the difference between "a failure" and "failure"?

The word "failure" often refers to the abstract concept or general lack of success, whereas "a failure" refers to a specific individual instance or person who has failed.

Is it correct to call a person "a failure"?

Grammatically, it is correct; however, it is highly judgmental. In formal writing, it is better to describe the specific action, such as "he failed to meet the requirements", rather than labeling the person.