ended in failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ended in failure" is correct and commonly used in written English.
The phrase typically indicates something isn't successful; it didn't reach the desired outcome. For example, "The search for the missing hiker ended in failure as no trace of the hiker was ever found."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It appeared that at least one American operation in the city ended in failure.

The New York Times

It ended in failure.

The New Yorker

His second marriage ended in failure.

The Economist

Those efforts ended in failure.

The Washington Post

Five previous Musudan tests ended in failure.

The Guardian

Each of those attempts has ended in failure.

The Guardian

Its last Musudan test, in October, ended in failure.

The New York Times

Such efforts, he felt, had necessarily ended in failure.

The New Yorker

Not, of course, that Hodge's career has ended in failure.

The Guardian

Lee's first attempt at escape in 2006 ended in failure.

The Guardian

The last test, conducted in January, also ended in failure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ended in failure" to clearly and directly communicate that an attempt or endeavor was not successful. It's suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "ended in failure" to describe situations where the outcome is still uncertain. This phrase implies a definitive conclusion of unsuccessful attempts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ended in failure" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating the outcome of a particular action, event, or endeavor. It signifies that the subject did not achieve its intended goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ended in failure" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, with a prevalent presence in news, encyclopedias, and academic writings. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the described event has indeed reached its conclusion with an unsuccessful outcome. Alternatives like "resulted in defeat" or "proved unsuccessful" can be employed depending on the desired nuance. Therefore, understanding the nuances of "ended in failure" allows for precise and effective communication in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to succeed

Directly states the lack of success.

resulted in defeat

Focuses on the outcome being a loss or defeat.

proved unsuccessful

Highlights the lack of success in achieving a goal.

was to no avail

Emphasizes the lack of positive result despite effort.

came to naught

Implies a complete lack of progress or achievement.

came to nothing

Indicates a lack of tangible results or progress.

fell flat

Suggests a disappointing and ineffective outcome.

was all for nothing

Highlights that efforts were wasted.

didn't work out

An informal way of saying something didn't go as planned.

proved abortive

Emphasizes the premature termination and lack of success.

FAQs

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

You can use "ended in failure" to describe an attempt, mission, or plan that did not succeed. For example, "Their attempt to climb the mountain "ended in failure" due to severe weather conditions."

What are some alternatives to "ended in failure"?

Alternatives include phrases like "resulted in defeat", "proved unsuccessful", or "was to no avail", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "ended in failure" in formal writing?

Yes, "ended in failure" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. It is a clear and direct way to express that something was not successful.

What's the difference between "ends in failure" and "ended in failure"?

"Ends in failure" describes a potential future outcome, whereas "ended in failure" describes a past event. For example, "If we don't address these issues, the project "ends in failure"." vs. "The project "ended in failure" due to mismanagement."