failed completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed completely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something did not succeed at all, emphasizing total failure. Example: "The project was ambitious, but it ultimately failed completely due to lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They failed completely.

The New York Times

I failed completely, of course.

The Guardian - Books

Here I have failed completely so far.

The Guardian - Tech

The government has failed completely in fighting this".

The New York Times

"The Democrats have failed completely in the inner cities.

The Guardian

It's clear that ministers failed completely in their responsibilities.

The Guardian

When it failed completely, he intended to retire.

The New York Times

What tactics worked and which ones failed completely?

The New York Times

The new administration does not think sanctions have failed completely.

The Economist

The first counter-attack on Burma's Arakan coast at the end of 1942 failed completely.

The Guardian

"The campaign finance system failed completely in the mayoral general election this year".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed completely" to emphasize the thoroughness of a failure. It is stronger than simply saying "failed".

Common error

While "failed completely" is acceptable, consider more nuanced language in highly formal writing. Alternatives like "proved unsuccessful" or "did not achieve its objectives" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed completely" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of failing with an emphasis on the thoroughness of the failure. It modifies a subject by expressing the complete lack of success associated with it. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed completely" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something was entirely unsuccessful. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. While alternatives like "failed utterly" or "failed entirely" exist, "failed completely" offers a clear and emphatic way to highlight the total lack of success. When using this phrase, consider the context and ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality. While suitable for many situations, more nuanced language may be preferable in highly formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed utterly

Emphasizes the extent of the failure, implying a disastrous outcome.

failed entirely

Indicates that there was no success whatsoever, stressing the completeness of the failure.

fell flat

Describes a failure to achieve the desired effect or outcome, often used in the context of performances or plans.

was a complete disaster

Indicates a situation that went extremely wrong, resulting in significant problems or negative outcomes.

bombed spectacularly

Suggests a dramatic and highly visible failure, often with negative consequences.

was a total flop

Implies a lack of success, often in the context of events, performances, or products.

proved fruitless

Highlights that efforts did not yield any positive results or benefits.

came to nothing

Suggests that efforts or plans did not achieve their intended purpose or outcome.

missed the mark

Highlights a failure to achieve a specific target or objective.

didn't work at all

Simplifies the concept of total failure, emphasizing the lack of any positive results.

FAQs

How can I use "failed completely" in a sentence?

You can use "failed completely" to emphasize that something did not succeed at all. For example, "The experiment "failed completely" due to a miscalculation".

What are some alternatives to "failed completely"?

Some alternatives include "failed utterly", "failed entirely", or "was a complete disaster". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "failed completely"?

While "failed" alone often implies a lack of success, adding "completely" emphasizes the thoroughness of the failure. The phrase isn't necessarily redundant but offers additional emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "failed completely" in writing?

"Failed completely" is appropriate when you want to highlight that something did not have any success. Use it in situations where you want to stress the extent of the failure.