a great failure of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great failure of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant shortcoming or lack in a particular area, often in a critical context. Example: "The project was ultimately deemed a great failure of leadership and vision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Troubles in developed economies had been caused by the "excessive chase of profit by financial capital and a great failure of financial regulation," he said.

Huffington Post

I thought it was a great failure of our public diplomacy, but I was unable to do anything about it - either when there or after I got back to Washington.

Huffington Post

Over the past year, when major initiatives fail to pass or pass without a single Republican vote, your beloved Beltway media is typically all too quick to point out that the result was a Great Failure Of Bipartisanship.

Huffington Post

Thus, the genocide became a great "failure" of the West which, in turn, has paved the way for Rwanda's "rehabilitation" to be viewed as a great triumph, built on the aid of foreign powers and the wisdom of men like Tony Blair and Bill Gates.

Vice

"That was a great failure of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), that it didn't specify the need to include children with disabilities in education," he said.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Re "After 3 Months, Mayor Replaces Schools Leader" (front page, April 8), about the resignation of Cathleen P. Black as New York City schools chancellor: A steady exodus of senior education officials, a sudden resignation, the immediate appointment of a trusted mayoral aide: the fast-moving political soap opera masks a greater failure of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's educational agenda.

The New York Times

When you add it all up, a greater failure of government is hard to find.

Huffington Post

The colleges that field these semipro teams should look at the lack of black head football coaches as an educational issue; the enterprise is a public symbol of a great failure.

The New York Times - Sports

But for nervous investors and worried politicians, desperate for details and prices, the "plan" was a grave disappointment.A great failure of nerveHow serious is this setback?

The Economist

So it was no surprise that Banks nearly always put a lighthearted gloss on the one great failure of his career, insisting that it was worthy of nothing more than a sigh and a wistful smile.

Los Angeles Times

And how to motivate individuals, the great failure of socialism?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great failure of", ensure the context clearly identifies the area or aspect in which the failure occurred to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a great failure of" can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler terms like "big mistake" or "major setback" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great failure of" functions as a noun phrase complement, typically followed by a noun indicating the area or aspect in which the failure occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

34%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great failure of" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing a significant deficiency or lack in a particular area. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its common use in critical contexts. While versatile, it's essential to consider the formality of the setting, as simpler alternatives may be more suitable for casual conversations. This expression is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, highlighting its role in analytical and critical discourse. When using "a great failure of", clarity is key: ensure the area of failure is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A major shortcoming of

Substitutes "failure" with "shortcoming", emphasizing an imperfection or fault.

A significant deficiency in

Replaces "great failure" with "significant deficiency", focusing on the lack of something.

A critical lapse in

Uses "lapse" to indicate a temporary failure of judgment or competence.

A glaring inadequacy in

Emphasizes that the failure is obvious and easily noticed.

A profound lack of

Highlights the absence of something essential rather than a failure.

A substantial defect in

Focuses on an inherent flaw or weakness that leads to failure.

A marked absence of

Stresses the clear and noticeable lack of something.

A serious dereliction of

Indicates a neglect of duty or responsibility, implying a failure.

A colossal blunder regarding

Replaces the abstract failure with a concrete mistake or error.

A regrettable incident of

Downplays the severity by framing it as an incident, adding a tone of disappointment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great failure of" to describe a significant lack or deficiency in something. For example, "The project was a great failure of planning and execution."

What are some alternatives to "a great failure of"?

Alternatives include "a significant deficiency in", "a major shortcoming of", or "a profound lack of", depending on the specific context.

Is "a great failure of" formal or informal?

"A great failure of" tends to be more formal. In informal settings, you might opt for simpler phrases like "big mistake" or "major setback".

What does it mean to say something is "a great failure of" something else?

It means that there was a substantial and significant deficiency or lack in the area specified. It suggests that the deficiency had a notable negative impact.