failure of humanity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'failure of humanity' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to a situation in which individuals fail to live up to the standards of a humane society. For example, "The genocide in Rwanda was a terrible failure of humanity that no one should ever forget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Or do we just expect this and that death, do we just embrace this failure of humanity?

The Guardian - Opinion

He is, he knows, part of a collective failure of humanity on the part of Europe towards these desperate migrants.

The Guardian - Books

Dallaire recently published an account of that time called "Shake Hands With the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda".

The New York Times - Magazine

Fascism, the Holocaust, the threat of nuclear annihilation, terrorism — every failure of humanity can be projected onto the blank canvas of the beast's unwitting head.

The New York Times - Books

But in the end I wanted to explore a specimen embodying the total failure of humanity, just walk down this brutal path".

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Spottiswoode's movie, based on General Dallaire's memoir, "Shake Hands With the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda," mechanically recounts events that have been well covered in other films.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

That was a tremendous failure of our humanity, and what it says about us – however we try to distance ourselves from our past – is just one of the deep currents running through this beautiful human journey into what in Lévi-Strauss's time remained of our own inaccessible past.

The Guardian - Books

It's his world-building and imagination that helped solidify his legacy, but even that is tainted by a failure of craft and humanity.

The Guardian - Books

To the literary critic Harold Bloom, the comparison with Auschwitz was "an unforgivable failure of imagination and humanity" on the part of a novelist he considers "second only to Philip Roth" among living writers.

The New York Times

It is said that due to the depletion of natural resources, overpopulation, and the failure of the Space Exploration Project, humanity has virtually eradicated itself through biological and nuclear warfare, turning a once prosperous civilization into complete ruin, cast in darkness and poisoned by constant rain from nuclear fallout.

Wikipedia

Countless people on social media nevertheless excoriated him for it, with the novelist Celeste Ng summing up their pious tone when she called his words "a failure of writing and of humanity".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure of humanity", provide specific examples to support your claim and avoid generalizations. This adds credibility and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "failure of humanity" to describe minor or commonplace issues. Overusing the phrase diminishes its impact when discussing truly significant ethical breaches.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure of humanity" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object, denoting a situation where human actions fall short of moral or ethical standards. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples in its database.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failure of humanity" is a powerful expression used to describe situations where human actions represent a significant ethical or moral failing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While the phrase is appropriate for formal and neutral registers, overuse can diminish its impact. To ensure effective communication, it's recommended to provide specific examples when using the term and to consider related phrases like "collapse of human values" or "collective moral failing" to convey specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collective moral failing

Underscores that the failure is shared by a group or society.

humanity's ethical lapse

Highlights a temporary deviation from moral behavior of mankind.

collapse of human values

Emphasizes the loss of moral principles rather than overall human achievement.

loss of human decency

Highlights a lack of consideration for the suffering or feelings of others.

breakdown of empathy

Focuses on the loss of ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

erosion of human compassion

Focuses specifically on the decline in empathy and caring for others.

ethical bankruptcy of humankind

Emphasizes a complete lack of moral values, in terms of humanity's failure.

breakdown of societal ethics

Highlights the deterioration of moral standards within a community.

moral decay in society

Focuses on the gradual decline of moral standards in community.

absence of moral fiber

Points to a lack of ethical strength in human actions.

FAQs

How can I use "failure of humanity" in a sentence?

You can use "failure of humanity" to describe events like genocides or widespread social injustices. For example, "The Rwandan genocide stands as a stark "failure of humanity".".

What is another way to say "failure of humanity"?

Alternatives include "collapse of human values", "erosion of human compassion", or "collective moral failing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "failure of humanity" in formal writing?

Yes, "failure of humanity" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing serious ethical or moral issues. However, ensure the context warrants such a strong phrase.

What distinguishes "failure of humanity" from "lack of empathy"?

"Failure of humanity" refers to a broader systemic or widespread breakdown of ethical behavior, while "lack of empathy" describes an individual's inability to understand or share the feelings of others. While related, the first is a larger-scale concept.