has been a failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been a failure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation, project, or effort that did not achieve its intended goals or outcomes. Example: "Despite the initial enthusiasm, the project has been a failure, leading to significant financial losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

OFHEO has been a failure.

The Economist

Socially, Jewish immigration has been a failure.

The Economist

"It has been a failure.

The Guardian

The policy has been a failure.

The New York Times

NATO's mission has been a failure.

The New York Times

In every respect, the campaign has been a failure.

The Washington Post

Instead, so far, Atom has been a failure.

Harvard Business Review

In that sense, the Kyoto protocol has been a failure.

The Guardian

The government's performance recently has been a failure.

The Guardian

"Our No Tipping" experiment has been a failure.

The New Yorker

"But he has been a failure for this district.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been a failure", provide context or specific reasons for the failure to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "has been a failure" without providing specific details or evidence to support the claim. This can make your statement seem unsubstantiated and less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been a failure" functions as a predicative adjective, describing a noun or pronoun as unsuccessful or not achieving its intended purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that is is usable and correct in written english. Examples show its use in evaluating projects, policies, and efforts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science & Research

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been a failure" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to denote a lack of success or achievement. Ludwig AI validates its usability. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to express negative assessments. While it can be direct, providing context and specifics is crucial for clarity and impact. Remember to avoid overgeneralizations and consider softening the tone when appropriate. Alternatives like "has proven unsuccessful" or "has not succeeded" can offer a nuanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has proven unsuccessful

Focuses on the lack of success as a result.

has not succeeded

Emphasizes the absence of a positive outcome.

has fallen short of expectations

Highlights the discrepancy between anticipated and actual results.

has failed to deliver

Underscores the inability to produce the desired outcome or results.

has turned out to be a disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of disillusionment resulting from the failure.

has not lived up to its promise

Suggests that the initial potential was not realized.

has been a setback

Highlights the negative impact on progress.

has backfired

Implies an unintended and negative consequence.

has been in vain

Highlights the lack of purpose or value in the effort.

has been unproductive

Focuses on the lack of valuable results or output.

FAQs

How can I use "has been a failure" in a sentence?

You can use "has been a failure" to describe something that did not achieve its intended goals. For example, "The project "has been a failure", resulting in significant financial losses."

What are some alternatives to "has been a failure"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has proven unsuccessful", "has not succeeded", or "has fallen short of expectations", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "has been a failure"?

It's appropriate when you want to explicitly state that something did not achieve its desired outcome. Ensure you have evidence or reasons to support this assertion.

Is "has been a failure" too harsh or negative?

While it can be direct, it's not necessarily too harsh if the situation warrants it and the statement is supported by facts. Consider softening it with phrases like "has not lived up to its promise" if you want a less blunt tone.