failed by

USAGE SUMMARY

"failed by" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when someone is unable to accomplish a certain task, or is let down by someone else. For example: "The project was failed by the company's inexperience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He failed by far.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. McGovern's amendment failed by 71 votes.

The New York Times

The motion failed by one vote.

The Economist

Each South failed by one trick.

The New York Times

How have you been failed by others?

The New York Times

They were failed by everyone.

The Guardian

Gaelic in Ireland has failed, by comparison.

The New York Times - Magazine

He has failed by his own standards".

The New York Times

The measure failed by three votes.

The New York Times

She was failed by the system and we were failed by it too.

The Guardian

Two other measures on the ballot failed by wide margins.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed by", ensure that the agent or factor causing the failure is clearly identified to provide context and clarity. For instance, specify "failed by the system" or "failed by a narrow margin."

Common error

Avoid using "failed by" in a way that obscures who or what is responsible for the failure. Be specific about the failing entity, otherwise, it could lead to confusion or misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed by" primarily functions as a passive construction indicating the cause or agent responsible for a failure. It highlights what or who was responsible for the lack of success. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used when someone is unable to accomplish a certain task, or is let down by someone else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

43%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed by" is a versatile construction employed to assign responsibility for a lack of success, suitable for a range of scenarios from political votes to scientific experiments. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is considered grammatically correct. Its prevalence in news, science, and general contexts underscores its broad applicability. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specifying the agent or factor causing the failure is crucial for effective communication. While alternatives like "let down by" and "fell short due to" exist, "failed by" remains a direct and widely recognized means of attributing the cause of failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let down by

Shifts focus to disappointment and unmet expectations.

fell short due to

Emphasizes a deficiency in meeting a specific goal or standard because of something.

was unsuccessful because of

Highlights the lack of success and directly links it to a cause.

did not succeed due to

Focuses on the absence of success and attributes it to a specific reason.

was defeated by

Implies an active opposition or force that caused the failure.

was overcome by

Suggests being overwhelmed by an external force, leading to failure.

succumbed to

Implies yielding to an overpowering force or condition resulting in failure.

was thwarted by

Indicates that an attempt was blocked or prevented from succeeding.

proved inadequate due to

Highlights a lack of suitability or effectiveness that led to failure because of something.

was ruined by

Suggests complete destruction or failure caused by something or someone.

FAQs

How is "failed by" used in a sentence?

Use "failed by" to indicate the cause of failure or who/what has let someone down. For example, "The measure "failed by" three votes" or "She was "failed by" the system".

What are some alternatives to "failed by"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "let down by", "fell short due to", or "was unsuccessful because of".

Is it correct to say "the system failed by" or "failed by the system"?

Both constructions are grammatically correct, but "failed by the system" is more common and flows more naturally in most contexts. The choice depends on the emphasis you want to place.

In what contexts is the phrase "failed by" most appropriate?

The phrase ""failed by"" is suitable in contexts where you want to specify the agent or factor that caused the failure, whether it's a person, a system, or a specific circumstance. It's used in formal, neutral, and informal contexts.