failed

USAGE SUMMARY

'failed' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as an adjective to describe something that has not been successful, or as a verb to describe a situation in which someone has not achieved success. For example, "The student failed the test due to lack of preparation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He failed".

The New York Times

But they failed.

The New York Times - Science

Both efforts failed.

The New Yorker

They have failed.

The New York Times

It failed.

The New York Times - Health

Naturally, it failed.

The Economist

But the prime minister failed to win the support of more than half of his 303 MPs after 136 Tories rejected the measure and around 40 Tory MPs either did not vote or actively abstained.

The Guardian

Derided as a buffoonish figure of fun for attempting to keep dry while his England team failed to qualify for Euro 2008, McClaren is currently attracting far less media attention for steering Derby County to fourth from 14th in the Championship after a run of just two defeats in 15 matches since he replaced Nigel Clough in September.

The Guardian - Sport

What he failed to realise was that the British public are very gullible, and if you keep telling them something for long enough, there's a chance they'll believe it.

The Guardian - Books

Ms Tuchman argued that a folly's success was marked by the determination of its supporters to pursue a foolish and failed policy in the face of clear arguments in favour of an alternative course.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Spy agencies fund climate research in hunt for weather weapon, scientist fears Like so many military experiments, these trials failed but cloud seeding became a reality in 1967/8 when the US's Operation Popeye increased rainfall by an estimated 30% over parts of Vietnam in an attempt to reduce the movement of soldiers and resources into South Vietnam.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject attempted to achieve and why they were unsuccessful.

Common error

Avoid using "failed" without specifying the area or goal in which the failure occurred. For instance, instead of saying "The project failed", specify "The project failed to meet its deadline".

Linguistic Context

The word "failed" primarily functions as a verb in the past tense, indicating the lack of success in an action or endeavor. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in diverse contexts, reinforcing its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "failed" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term used to express a lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. When using "failed", ensure clarity regarding the scope of failure to avoid ambiguity. Explore alternatives like "was unsuccessful" or ""did not succeed"" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Was unsuccessful

Replaces "failed" with a more formal and descriptive term, emphasizing the lack of success.

Did not succeed

Provides a direct and simple alternative, focusing on the absence of a positive outcome.

Lacked success

Directly states the absence of success, providing a clear and straightforward alternative.

Proved fruitless

Uses a more figurative expression, highlighting the lack of results or benefits.

Fell short

Indicates that an attempt or effort did not reach the required standard or level.

Came to naught

Employs a more archaic and literary phrase, emphasizing the ultimate failure or insignificance of an endeavor.

Missed the mark

Offers an idiomatic alternative, suggesting that the intended goal was not achieved.

Floundered

Suggests a struggling or stumbling failure, highlighting a lack of stability or direction.

Was defeated

Implies a loss or overcome by an opposing force or challenge.

Collapsed

Conveys a sense of sudden or complete failure, often associated with structures or systems.

FAQs

How can I use "failed" in a sentence?

You can use "failed" to indicate a lack of success in an attempt, such as "The experiment "did not succeed"" or "He "missed the mark" on the exam".

What are some alternatives to using the word "failed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "was unsuccessful", ""did not succeed"", or "fell short".

Is it always negative to say something has "failed"?

Yes, "failed" generally carries a negative connotation, indicating a lack of success or achievement of a desired outcome. It's often used to describe situations where expectations were not met.

What's the difference between "failed" and "attempted"?

"Attempted" simply means someone tried to do something, while "failed" means they tried but did not succeed. You can "attempt" something without failing, but if you "failed", you definitely attempted it.