failing miserably

USAGE SUMMARY

"failing miserably" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when someone or something has not achieved the desired goal or outcome. Example: Despite their best efforts, the team was left failing miserably in their attempt to win the championship.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm failing miserably".

The New York Times - Books

I kept failing miserably.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, Washington is failing miserably on this score.

The Economist

At a glance, the system is failing miserably.

The New York Times - Sports

Foreign brands have a long history of failing miserably here.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's about failing miserably and succeeding triumphantly, both".

The New York Times

At present, we are failing miserably to do so.

The New York Times

So far, "the state is failing miserably in this respect," she added.

The New York Times

The story opens with the young artist failing miserably at practicing the traditional art of calligraphy.

The New York Times - Books

"She was trying her hardest to be unattractive and failing, miserably," laughs Cianfrance.

Independent

1st crane accident where 87 people die,now this! Saudis're failing miserably on safety measures!

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failing miserably" to vividly describe situations where efforts fall far short of expectations, adding emphasis and a sense of disappointment or irony.

Common error

While effective, avoid overusing "failing miserably" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "not achieving the desired outcome" or "performing below expectations" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing miserably" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to intensify the degree of failure. Ludwig confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Social Media

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failing miserably" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a high degree of failure. As Ludwig highlights, it is suitable for various contexts, but particularly common in news and media. While effective for adding emphasis, it's important to consider the tone and avoid overuse in highly formal settings. Alternatives like "failing completely" or "not succeeding at all" might be more appropriate depending on the desired level of formality. When you're aiming to vividly describe a substantial lack of success, "failing miserably" can be a powerful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failing dismally

Replaces "miserably" with "dismally", emphasizing the depth of failure.

failing completely

Focuses on the totality of the failure, indicating no success at all.

failing utterly

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the failure, suggesting a thorough lack of success.

failing badly

Indicates a significant degree of failure, emphasizing the poor performance.

not succeeding at all

Expresses the absence of success in a more explicit and descriptive way.

performing poorly

Shifts the focus to the act of performing, highlighting the inadequacy of the performance.

falling short significantly

Emphasizes the gap between the expected outcome and the actual result.

missing the mark by a wide margin

Highlights the extent to which the target or goal was missed.

proving inadequate

Focuses on the lack of required qualities or abilities to succeed.

proving a failure

States directly that something or someone has resulted in failure.

FAQs

How can I use "failing miserably" in a sentence?

You can use "failing miserably" to describe a situation where someone or something is unsuccessful. For example, "Despite their efforts, the project was "failing miserably"".

What are some alternatives to "failing miserably"?

Some alternatives include "failing badly", "failing completely", or "not succeeding at all", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "failing miserably"?

Yes, "failing miserably" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe a significant lack of success.

What's the difference between "failing miserably" and "failing slightly"?

"Failing miserably" indicates a severe lack of success, while "failing slightly" suggests a minor shortfall. The adverb intensifies the degree of failure.