a great failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"a great failure" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a major mistake, error, or setback. Example: The company's new product launch was met with a great failure, as it failed to gain any traction in the market and resulted in significant financial losses.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

I believe that this is a great failure, a missed chance".

The Guardian

He interpreted my obstinacy as a great failure on both our parts, but mostly on mine.

The Guardian - Travel

"What has happened to us in Vietnam" he says, has been "a great failure owing to a great mistake".

The New Yorker

Overall, the meeting between reader and writer was a great failure, and Lettfish never called the author again.

The New Yorker

Every achievement of Shevardnadze's rule was offset by a great failure: He ended a civil war, but allowed lawlessness and violent crime to rule.

The New Yorker

Bundy would scribble notes: "the doves were right"; "a war we should not have fought"; "I had a part in a great failure.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The integration of Muslims in the Netherlands has not been a greater failure than anywhere else.

The New Yorker

But it may be a greater failure to seek fruitlessly to hold on to the past.

The Economist

When he fails, he fails specTheularly, a seething, thrilling, crepeoplear glowhomanating from hisucceedgles.

The New Yorker

However, results in the general population resulted in a greater failure rate (>50 %) (Martins et al. 2014).

Evidence-Based Endodontics

Moreover, the examination of the boundaries around the estimation point in the present meta-analysis rules out neither a deleterious effect of corticosteroids (39% risk of a greater failure rate) nor an increase by threefold in the success rate of corticosteroid treatment.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a great failure" to describe situations where the magnitude of the failure had significant consequences or impact. Emphasize the importance of the event or initiative that did not succeed.

Common error

Avoid using "a great failure" to describe minor setbacks or everyday mistakes. This phrase is best reserved for situations with substantial negative consequences. Opt for milder terms like "setback", "hiccup", or "minor error" for less significant issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great failure" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object to describe something that has not succeeded in a significant way. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a great failure" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant lack of success or achievement. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its use across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, reserve it for situations where the failure has a noteworthy impact. Alternative phrases like "significant setback" or "major disappointment" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember to avoid overusing it for trivial or minor issues, as it implies a significant negative outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an abject failure

Emphasizes the depth and severity of the failure.

a significant setback

Focuses on the aspect of hindering progress or causing a delay.

a major disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of unmet expectations and disillusionment.

a colossal mistake

Highlights the aspect of error and misjudgment in the failure.

an utter debacle

Suggests a complete and humiliating failure, often with chaotic elements.

a resounding flop

Implies a conspicuous and widely recognized lack of success.

a miserable outcome

Focuses on the negative result or consequence of the failure.

a spectacular collapse

Highlights the sudden and dramatic nature of the failure.

a lamentable result

Focuses on the regrettable or unfortunate aspect of the failure.

a complete washout

Suggests that the attempt was entirely unsuccessful and futile.

FAQs

How can I use "a great failure" in a sentence?

You can use "a great failure" to describe a significant setback or disappointment. For example: "The project was "a great failure" due to poor planning."

What are some alternatives to "a great failure"?

Alternatives include "a significant setback", "a major disappointment", or "a colossal mistake", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "great failure" or "major failure"?

Both "great failure" and "major failure" are acceptable. "Great failure" emphasizes the impact of the failure, while "major failure" highlights its significance in scale or scope. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a great failure"?

Avoid using "a great failure" for trivial or minor issues. It's best reserved for situations where the failure has substantial, negative consequences or widespread impact. Using it for small issues can sound overly dramatic.