but failed

USAGE SUMMARY

"but failed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the fact that someone was unsuccessful in completing a task or reaching a goal. For example: "She tried her hardest to get the promotion, but failed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He tried [laughs], but failed.

The New Yorker

She started but failed to reply.

The New Yorker

His predecessor tried hard, but failed dismally.

The Economist

Two have tried, but failed.

The Guardian - Sport

They tried everything but failed.

The Guardian

Another European golfer tried but failed.

The Guardian - Sport

The old pussycat tried but failed.

The Guardian

Wilson promised action, but failed to deliver.

The New Yorker

It hoped, but failed, to throw the major out again.

The Economist

Congress tried but failed to pass laws granting them relief.

Independent

He tried as early as 1939, but failed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but failed", ensure the context clearly identifies what the subject was trying to achieve. Lack of clarity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary adverbs or phrases that reiterate the failure. For example, instead of "He tried very hard, but ultimately failed", the sentence "He tried very hard, but failed" is more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but failed" functions as a conjunction, connecting a statement of intent or effort with its unsuccessful outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but failed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express the lack of success following an attempt or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys contrast and is suitable for various writing registers, predominantly appearing in news, media, and encyclopedic contexts. When using "but failed", focus on clarity and avoid redundancy for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet unsuccessful

Emphasizes the lack of success despite some effort or expectation.

but proved fruitless

Highlights that the attempt did not yield any positive or useful results.

however, without success

Formally highlights the contrast between the attempt and the lack of positive outcome.

but was unproductive

Focuses on the lack of tangible output or benefit from the effort.

though it didn't work

Informal way to express the failure of something to produce the intended result.

yet it floundered

Implies the attempt struggled and ultimately collapsed or failed to progress.

but to no avail

More literary, suggesting the attempt was ultimately useless or ineffective.

however, proved abortive

More formal, indicating the attempt was cut short or failed to fully develop.

despite the effort, it backfired

Indicates that the attempt not only failed but had an adverse or unwanted effect.

though the result was negative

Directly states that the outcome of the attempt was unfavorable or undesirable.

FAQs

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

Use "but failed" to connect an action with its unsuccessful outcome, like: "She studied diligently, "but failed" the exam".

What are some alternatives to "but failed"?

Alternatives include "yet unsuccessful", "however, without success", or "though it didn't work", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Which is correct, "but failed" or "but was failing"?

"But failed" indicates a completed action with an unsuccessful result. "But was failing" suggests an ongoing process of failure. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "but failed" and "but didn't succeed"?

"But failed" is more direct and concise. "But didn't succeed" is slightly more verbose but conveys the same meaning. The choice is often a matter of stylistic preference. Using "but didn't succeed" might be better when the action is described in a more extensive way.