ends in failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"ends in failure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that a situation or attempt is unsuccessful due to a lack of success. For example, "All my careful preparation for the exam ended in failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

They believe their students have hard knock lives, and holding them to higher expectations almost always ends in failure.

HuffPost

But it still ends in failure.

The New Yorker

Her dream of being an actress ends in failure.

Britannica

Thus, as evidence indicates when one tries to sculpt it usually ends in failure.

University of California, Berkeley

Indeed they do: Low targets, goals dropped: Copenhagen ends in failure was our headline.

The Guardian

Joes tries to become friends with Smith, but his effort ends in failure.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 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

All political careers end in failure.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ends in failure", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific effort or endeavor concluded unsuccessfully. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "ends in failure" when a situation is still ongoing. The phrase implies a definitive conclusion, so it's unsuitable for describing uncertain or developing scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ends in failure" primarily functions as a predicate within a sentence. It describes the outcome of a particular action, process, or endeavor, indicating that it did not succeed. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ends in failure" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the unsuccessful conclusion of an effort or endeavor. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct. It's found primarily in news and media, but also appears in academic and other contexts. While it is effective in clearly stating that something did not succeed, consider using more formal synonyms like "culminates unsuccessfully" or "proves abortive" in professional settings. Remember to ensure that the context clarifies what specific effort resulted in failure to avoid ambiguity. Keep in mind that frequency is uncommon, thus be cautious when using the phrase in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concludes without success

Similar to the original, but uses "without success" for emphasis.

culminates unsuccessfully

Focuses on the culmination aspect, adding that the result is not successful.

results in futility

Highlights the lack of purpose or result despite effort.

comes to naught

An idiomatic expression indicating that efforts or plans were wasted.

is to no avail

Emphasizes that the effort was useless or did not produce the desired result.

proves abortive

Indicates an unsuccessful attempt or plan, often cut short.

falls through

Suggests that plans or expectations were not met.

turns out badly

A more general way of saying that something does not go well.

is defeated

Focuses more on the sense of being overcome by obstacles.

meets with disaster

Suggests a catastrophic or very negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ends in failure" to sound more formal?

Consider using more formal alternatives such as "concludes unsuccessfully", "proves abortive", or "results in futility". These options offer a similar meaning while maintaining a professional tone.

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

While both phrases are very similar, "ends in failure" implies a more definitive conclusion to a specific attempt or process, whereas "results in failure" suggests a more causal relationship where the failure is a direct consequence.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "ends in failure"?

The phrase "ends in failure" is appropriate when discussing projects, attempts, negotiations, or any defined endeavor that has reached a conclusive but unsuccessful outcome. It suits contexts needing a clear statement of failure.

What are some less common alternatives to "ends in failure"?

Alternatives like "comes to naught", "is to no avail", or "proves abortive" are less common but provide a similar meaning. Their impact relies on the audience's familiarity with slightly more formal or literary language.