it failed

USAGE SUMMARY

"it failed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something was unsuccessful or did not work. For example: The experiment was unsuccessful; it failed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It failed.

The New York Times - Health

It failed because it failed.

The New Yorker

Sadly it failed.

The New York Times - Arts

(It failed to pass).

The New York Times

Fortunately, it failed.

The New York Times

Each time, it failed.

The New Yorker

It failed dismally.

The New York Times

It failed, shamefully.

The New York Times

But it failed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It fails.

The Guardian - Tech

If it fails, it fails.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it failed" to concisely convey that something did not achieve its intended outcome. This is particularly effective in summarizing results or outcomes in reports and analyses.

Common error

Avoid using "it failed" when the referent of "it" is unclear. Always ensure the noun or concept that "it" refers to is explicitly stated or easily understood from the immediate context to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it failed" primarily functions as a declarative statement, asserting that a particular action, plan, or object did not achieve its intended purpose. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable, clearly indicating an unsuccessful outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

22%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it failed" is a straightforward and commonly used expression to indicate the lack of success or attainment of a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across a range of contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as academic writing, the phrase's neutral register makes it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. While concise and effective, it is essential to ensure clarity by explicitly stating what "it" refers to. Alternatives such as "it was unsuccessful" or "it did not succeed" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was unsuccessful

Replaces "failed" with its direct synonym "unsuccessful".

it did not succeed

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcome using a more formal tone.

it proved ineffective

Highlights the lack of desired effect or impact.

it fell short

Suggests that the effort or attempt did not reach the expected standard.

it was a failure

Turns the phrase into a noun phrase, emphasizing the overall result.

it floundered

Suggests a struggling or wavering attempt, implying a lack of stability.

it backfired

Indicates that the attempt had an unintended and negative consequence.

it went wrong

Focuses on the process or execution having deviated from the intended course.

it was in vain

Emphasizes the futility and lack of result despite effort.

it came to naught

Expresses that the endeavor resulted in nothing or had no positive outcome.

FAQs

What does "it failed" mean?

The phrase "it failed" simply means that something did not succeed or achieve its intended goal. It's a straightforward way to express a lack of success.

What are some alternatives to saying "it failed"?

You can use alternatives such as "it was unsuccessful", "it did not succeed", or "it proved ineffective" depending on the specific context.

Is "it failed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it failed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English.

How can I use "it failed" in a sentence?

You can use "it failed" in a sentence like: "The experiment was carefully designed, but "it failed" to produce the desired results."