fail the exam

USAGE SUMMARY

"fail the exam" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about a student's performance on an exam. For example, "John was disappointed when he found out that he had failed the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Students who fail the exam can retake it as often as they want.

The New York Times

Some educators say that being exposed to college-level work helps even those students who fail the exam.

The New York Times

"No matter how well they master the content that's being tested, they will fail the exam if they have real problems with reading or handwriting".

The New York Times

Those who fail the exam at the seminar's conclusion will lose their seat/vote with no replacement forthcoming from a state appointment or run-off election.

The New York Times

Retaking the test a year later, he buckled down and passed the English portion, managing, instead, to flunk Tamil, his native tongue, and fail the exam a second time.

The New Yorker

The last thing Europe needs is the chaotic release of results for 91 banks, with national regulators privately disowning the conclusions and no plan for recapitalising firms that fail the exam.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Most states that require competency exams have loopholes allowing teachers who fail the exams to enter the classroom anyway.

The New York Times

There were no ladies' toilets except in the basement, where the cleaners had their lockers, and her professor urged her to find a husband quickly so she wouldn't fail the exams.

The New York Times

Most of the students chose the Repetitor, and so did I, because to do anything else is usually regarded as crazy or bound to fail the exams.

Science Magazine

Despite their studying, and Naru's mock exam results, they both fail the exams.

Wikipedia

If I fail the exams now it will be a big defeat, disappointment, over and over again.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic performance, use "fail the exam" to clearly and directly communicate the outcome of an assessment.

Common error

Avoid using overly euphemistic language to describe failing an exam, as it can dilute the message. "Not doing well" lacks the directness and clarity of "fail the exam".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail the exam" functions as a verb phrase, where "fail" is the verb indicating the action of not passing, and "the exam" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI also explains, it is correct and usable to talk about a student's performance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fail the exam" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone did not pass an examination. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing a student's performance. Found frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts, it serves the primary purpose of reporting examination outcomes. While "fail the exam" is a straightforward term, alternatives like "not pass the exam" or "flunk the exam" can be used for slight variations in tone. When writing, it is best to use direct language and avoid ambiguity, but also remember to learn from mistakes, and seek improvements for subsequent tests.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not pass the exam

Replaces the verb "fail" with a negative form of "pass", maintaining the same meaning.

receive a failing grade on the exam

Focuses specifically on the grade received, indicating failure.

not succeed in the exam

Emphasizes the lack of success in a more general way.

flunk the exam

Uses a more informal synonym for "fail", adding a slightly different tone.

be unsuccessful in the exam

Similar to "not succeed", but uses a more formal tone.

do poorly on the exam

Shifts the focus to the quality of performance rather than the binary pass/fail result.

fall short on the exam

Implies not meeting the required standard or expectations.

perform unsatisfactorily on the exam

Highlights the inadequate performance, suitable for formal contexts.

be defeated by the exam

Presents failing as being overcome by the challenge of the exam.

not measure up in the exam

Suggests a failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "fail the exam"?

To "fail the exam" means that you did not achieve the minimum passing score required on a test or assessment.

What can I say instead of "fail the exam"?

You can use alternatives like "not pass the exam", "flunk the exam", or "do poorly on the exam" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "fail the exam" or "failed in the exam"?

"Fail the exam" is the more common and natural phrasing. "Failed in the exam" is less idiomatic.

What should I do if I "fail the exam"?

If you "fail the exam", review the material, seek help from instructors or tutors, and consider retaking the exam if possible.