has been failed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been failed" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase in any context where you are talking about something that did not achieve the desired goal or outcome. For example, "The experiment has been failed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Dr Esparza has been failed by every institution in her life.

The Guardian

North Kesteven has been failed by national and county elites over many generations.

The Guardian

Democracy, it seems, has been failed dismally by those sworn to uphold it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mohammad represents a generation that has been failed by the state.

The Guardian - Books

"The source of U.S. innovation and competitiveness and job creation has been failed by the capital markets".

The New York Times - Tech

Ms Verwaerde, whose ambition is to work in the police service one day, said she feels she has been failed by the very service meant to help her.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

There have been failed experiments in recruitment.

The Guardian - Sport

There have been failed England managers before.

The Guardian - Sport

We have been failed for too long.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We work with people who've been failed by children's services and have been failed again by adult services.

Independent

Jo's children have been failed," said Parkes.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been failed", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity about what or who experienced the failure. For instance, specify if a system, a person, or an attempt "has been failed".

Common error

Avoid using "has been failed" without a clear understanding of passive voice. It shifts focus from the actor to the recipient of the action. Ensure this shift enhances rather than obscures the meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been failed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has experienced failure. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, demonstrating instances where institutions, systems, or individuals have not met expected standards or achieved desired outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been failed" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, to indicate that someone or something has not succeeded. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it carries a neutral to formal register, frequently serving to assign responsibility or highlight shortcomings. To ensure clarity, specifying the subject experiencing failure is critical. While semantically related phrases like "was unsuccessful" or "proved ineffective" can be used, "has been failed" distinctly emphasizes a passive experience of failure. When writing with this phrase, consider passive voice implications to enhance meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proved ineffective

Emphasizes the lack of desired effect or outcome.

was unsuccessful

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct statement about a lack of success.

yielded no results

Focuses on the absence of positive outcomes or data.

did not succeed

Uses a simple, active construction to express a failure to achieve a goal.

met with failure

Formal alternative, emphasizing the encounter with a negative outcome.

fell short of expectations

Indicates that performance or results were below what was anticipated.

didn't work out

A colloquial way of saying something was unsuccessful.

came to nothing

Suggests a complete lack of positive results or progress.

was a fiasco

Implies a complete and embarrassing failure.

bombed

Informal term suggesting a dramatic and obvious failure.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been failed"?

It means that something or someone has not succeeded in achieving a desired outcome or goal. It implies a state of failure or ineffectiveness.

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

You can say, "The project "has been failed" due to lack of resources" or "The patient "has been failed" by the current treatment protocol".

What are some alternatives to saying "has been failed"?

Alternatives include "was unsuccessful", "did not succeed", or "proved ineffective". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a failure?

It depends on the context. Active voice (e.g., "The team failed the project") emphasizes the actor, while passive voice (e.g., "The project "has been failed"") emphasizes the result. Use the voice that best suits your communicative goal.