have been failed

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been failed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has not succeeded. Example: The test results show that several students have been failed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There have been failed experiments in recruitment.

The Guardian - Sport

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

The Guardian

There have been failed England managers before.

The Guardian - Sport

We have been failed for too long.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There are so many students who have been failed by the K 12 system.

Harvard University

Of which, 74 have been failed to locate the license plates.

Optik - International Journal for Light and Electron Optics

In particular, one attitude gyro (totally four) and one reaction wheel (totally four) have been failed.

Acta Astronautica

Past generations of service members have been failed by the current system.

The New York Times

It says indigent clients have been failed by their appointed lawyers all around the state.

The New York Times

Yes, Most of the startup projects have been failed because of inadequate research in the initial phase of the business.

University of California, Berkeley

We shouldn't continue to use prisons as a warehousing of those who have been failed by society.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been failed", consider the context carefully. Ensure that the subject is clearly identified and that the reason for failure is evident to the reader. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "have been failed" when an active construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "The students have been failed by the system", consider "The system failed the students" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been failed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has experienced a failure imposed by an external entity or system. As noted by Ludwig AI, this structure is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

23%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been failed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates a failure imposed upon a subject by an external force. According to Ludwig, the examples show its prevalent use in News & Media, Academia, and Science, with a generally neutral to formal tone. While grammatically sound, consider alternatives like "have been let down" or using the active voice for greater impact. The phrase serves to highlight injustice, express concern, or assign blame, emphasizing the consequences of the failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been let down

This alternative focuses on the disappointment and disillusionment experienced when expectations are unmet.

have been neglected

This highlights a lack of attention, care, or resources, implying a failure to provide necessary support.

have been abandoned

This suggests a complete desertion or forsaking, indicating a severe lack of support or responsibility.

have been underserved

This emphasizes the inadequacy of services or provisions offered, pointing to a systemic failure to meet needs.

have been shortchanged

This indicates unfair treatment or a lack of something deserved, suggesting a failure to provide equitable resources or opportunities.

have been unsuccessful

This focuses on the lack of positive outcomes or achievements, implying a failure to attain desired results.

have not succeeded

This alternative expresses a simple lack of accomplishment, without necessarily implying neglect or mistreatment.

have proved inadequate

This suggests a demonstration of insufficiency or unsuitability, highlighting a failure to meet requirements or expectations.

have fallen short

This emphasizes the failure to reach a specific target or standard, implying a deficiency in performance or achievement.

have come to naught

This indicates a complete lack of success or positive outcome, suggesting that efforts have been fruitless.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have been failed" to sound more empathetic?

Consider using phrases like "have been let down", "have been neglected", or "have been underserved" to convey a sense of disappointment or lack of support rather than outright failure.

Is it better to use an active or passive voice when expressing that someone "have been failed"?

While "have been failed" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "the system failed them") can often create a stronger and more direct statement. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and context.

What are some common situations where you might say that someone "have been failed"?

This phrase is often used when discussing systemic issues such as educational shortcomings (e.g., "pupils have been failed by the education system"), or failures in social services (e.g., "children have been failed by social services").

Which is correct, "have been failed" or "has been failed"?

"Have been failed" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "they have been failed"), while "has been failed" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "he has been failed"). Make sure to match the verb form to the subject.