flunked

USAGE SUMMARY

'flunked' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe failing an exam, test, or other type of assessment. For example: "I was disappointed when I found out I flunked my biology test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead he flunked the test in hiding, not daring to speak out, other than in one ill-advised intervention in parliament.Another opportunity of sorts was to energise Congress in state elections.

The Economist

In theory, there is enough in his record to suggest that he may yet be the chief executive America needs, though such boldness is asking a lot of a man who still seems several vertebrae short of a backbone (John McCain, a generally braver man, flunked it in 2008).

The Economist

European finance ministers flunked hard decisions on combating the debt crisis at a meeting in the Polish city of Wroclaw on September 16th and 17th and instead floated the irrelevant idea of a tax on financial transactions.

The Economist

If it is flunked, not only will Kosovo relapse into violence but also the EU will be seen as having suffered another huge foreign-policy failure.

The Economist

After September 11th Mr Bush poured billions into creating the Department of Homeland Security, but the department has flunked its first big test.

The Economist

One reason is that Mr Rajoy flunked hard choices at the outset, notably the cleansing of the banks.

The Economist

In Europe, in recent years, too many politicians have flunked this test.

The Economist

Joy, confined A ceasefire, but not yet peace A funny way to end the slave trade Reprints Related items Slavery in Sudan: A funny way to end the slave tradeFeb 7th 2002But the fourth condition has been flunked: President Omar Bashir insists that he cannot stop bombing the south.

The Economist

If he leaves too many of the old lags in place and fails to promote fresh talent, he will have flunked the test.The risk for Mr Blair is that the more he asserts his authority, the more he provokes those who think the only high-profile exit that can help the government is his own.

The Economist

But the process still flunked its first test.

The Economist

The two schools that the commission flunked did not provide those who cannot afford the fees "sufficient opportunity to benefit".All this takes place within a long tradition of class war in which private schools have been a main target.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flunked" to describe a clear failure in a test, assessment, or task. Be mindful of the context; while generally acceptable, more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "failed".

Common error

Avoid using "flunked" in very formal or professional documents, such as legal contracts or academic dissertations. Opt for a more neutral term like "failed" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flunked" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "flunk". It typically functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the action of failing a test, course, or other assessment. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flunked" is a commonly used verb, particularly in its past tense form, to describe failing an exam, test, or task. As highlighted by Ludwig, while the term is widely understood and acceptable in many contexts, including news and media, it tends to be more informal. Therefore, in formal or professional settings, it is advisable to use more neutral alternatives such as "failed" to maintain an appropriate tone. Ludwig AI's analysis underscores the grammatical correctness and communicative effectiveness of "flunked", confirming its place in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed

Indicates a lack of success in achieving a specific goal or passing a test.

didn't pass

A straightforward expression of failing to meet the criteria for passing.

fell short

Indicates a failure to reach a required standard or expectation.

missed the mark

Indicates a failure to achieve the desired outcome or target.

botched

Implies a clumsy or unsuccessful attempt, often due to incompetence.

bombed

Suggests a complete and utter failure, especially in performance.

muffed

Suggests a missed opportunity or a failure to execute something properly.

floundered

Describes struggling and failing to progress or succeed.

screwed up

An informal way to describe making a significant mistake or failing badly.

came a cropper

British English slang for failing spectacularly or encountering a setback.

FAQs

How do I use "flunked" in a sentence?

You can use "flunked" to describe failing a test or an important task, for instance, "He "flunked" the exam because he didn't study."

What can I say instead of "flunked"?

Alternatives to "flunked" include "failed", "didn't pass", or "performed poorly", depending on the formality required.

Is "flunked" appropriate for formal writing?

While "flunked" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal or conversational contexts. In formal writing, consider using "failed" or a similar term.

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

"Flunked" is generally more informal and implies a more decisive or perhaps even embarrassing failure. "Failed" is a more neutral and formal term indicating a lack of success.