entirely fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "entirely fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a complete lack of success in achieving a goal or outcome. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the project seemed to entirely fail, leaving the team disheartened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The Republican party did not entirely fail to destroy Barack Obama.

The Guardian - Opinion

It doesn't help that a few of his incendiary gadgets almost entirely fail, while others prove to be worn out from previous use.

Independent

With such headwinds, one can sympathise with Sir Howard: he did not succeed, but he did not entirely fail either (read more here).Is Mr Hirai, who oversees Sony's consumer electronics and video game divisions, a lightweight, as his critics contend?

The Economist

b) You will entirely fail to explain what your job is to a politely confused lady called Leanne.

Vice

This protective mechanism is apparently quite effective as it is very unusual to see an athlete continue until muscle contractions entirely fail or to run to hyperthermic collapse.

Plosone

In contrast, in egg-chambers that produce no posterior oskar mRNA (oskA87/Df 3R)), all candidate posterior mRNAs entirely fail to localize at stage 9 and beyond.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Which is not to say that it entirely fails, either.

The New York Times

He says Ofgem have "almost entirely failed in our lifetime".

The Guardian - Business

It entirely failed to uncover or nurture his talents.

The Guardian - Tech

At one point, you write, "I've entirely failed to reconcile fatherhood with adventuring".

The New Yorker

The senator blamed himself for "having entirely failed to do anything in aid of an enterprise".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "entirely fail", ensure that the context supports a complete and unambiguous lack of success. Avoid using it when there's a possibility of partial achievement or mixed results.

Common error

Avoid using "entirely fail" when the situation involves partial failure or mixed results. This phrase implies a complete lack of success, so using it in situations where there were some positive outcomes can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "entirely fail" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a complete lack of success or a total absence of the desired outcome. It intensifies the verb "fail" with the adverb "entirely", emphasizing the thoroughness of the failure. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, such as projects that "entirely fail" or systems that do not succeed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "entirely fail" is a grammatically correct way to express a complete lack of success, as supported by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects a total absence of positive outcomes. Related phrases include "completely flop", "utterly collapse", and "totally break down". Avoid overstating the degree of failure by using this phrase when partial success was achieved. While the phrase follows standard grammar rules, ensure the context supports this strong expression of complete failure to maintain clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely flop

Replaces "fail" with "flop", emphasizing a dramatic or obvious failure.

utterly collapse

Substitutes both words to indicate a total breakdown or failure.

totally break down

Replaces "fail" with "break down" to suggest a loss of functionality or effectiveness.

absolutely not succeed

Uses a negative construction, replacing "fail" with "not succeed" for emphasis.

fall flat

Replaces both words to indicate a failure to produce the intended effect or result.

prove entirely unsuccessful

Adds "prove" to emphasize the demonstration of failure, making it more formal.

end in total failure

Focuses on the outcome, emphasizing that the process concluded unsuccessfully.

be a complete washout

Employs an idiomatic expression indicating a thorough and disappointing failure.

miss the mark completely

Uses a figurative expression to suggest a failure to achieve the intended target or goal.

not come even close

Indicates a significant lack of success, implying a large gap between the attempt and the goal.

FAQs

How can I use "entirely fail" in a sentence?

Use "entirely fail" to express a complete lack of success. For example, "The project seemed to entirely fail, leaving the team disheartened".

What are some alternatives to "entirely fail"?

Alternatives include "completely flop", "utterly collapse", or "totally break down", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "entirely fail" and "partially fail"?

"Entirely fail" indicates a complete lack of success, while "partially fail" suggests some degree of success alongside the failure. The distinction lies in the extent to which the goal was achieved.

Which is more emphatic: "entirely fail" or "completely fail"?

Both "entirely fail" and "completely fail" are highly emphatic. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference and the specific context, as their meanings are virtually identical.