less of a failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less of a failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the degree of failure of two or more situations, indicating that one is not as much of a failure as the other. Example: "While the project didn't meet all its goals, it was less of a failure than last year's initiative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I also feel less anxious and less of a failure.

The Guardian

He made porn mainstream by making men feel less of a failure for needing it".

The New York Times

But I was starting to feel like less of a failure.

Harvard Business Review

To make the operation look less of a failure, the initiative was given the credit for five convictions of men accused of sex trafficking, even though they had all been picked up from other routine police investigations.

The Guardian - Books

In an interview, he said the weekend test appeared to be less of a failure than the 2006 rocket attempt, and that it might provide useful information about how to make improvements.

The New York Times

If a program has a low cost per student but fails to actually help people forge a solid career, then the fact that the failure is cheap does not make it any less of a failure.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Your indulgences may be due less to a failure of will than to the strong forces of human biology.

Harvard University

So these two make each other stronger: more capital means less likelihood of a failure, and it also means more loss absorption capacity if the FDIC is forced to act.

The Washington Post

A compromise would de facto result in a loosening of austerity, which entails significant domestic risks for Merkel (though less than a failure of the euro would).

Huffington Post

One senses that for her, worldly failure is less of a soul-killer than failure to find grace, whenever and wherever it might occur.

The New York Times - Books

Instead of wicking away sweat (something 37.5 looks at as less of a feature than a failure of clothing to manage humidity next to the wearer's skin), clothing and bedding made with this material prevents the sweat from happening in the first place.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less of a failure", clearly specify the benchmark or previous situation against which the current outcome is being compared to provide context and demonstrate the relative improvement.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the improvement when using "less of a failure". Ensure the situation genuinely represents a tangible advancement, not just a marginal reduction in negative outcomes. Overstating the improvement can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less of a failure" serves as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying an implied noun. It indicates that something is not as unsuccessful as something else. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. The examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in evaluating outcomes and situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less of a failure" is grammatically sound and serves as a comparative adjective phrase, indicating that something is not as unsuccessful as something else. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly correct. It is most commonly found in news and academic contexts. The phrase is neither entirely negative nor enthusiastic, rather is used to provide a nuanced assessment of a situation, acknowledge shortcomings, and highlight improvement. When employing this phrase, be clear about the comparison being made and avoid exaggeration. Alternatives such as "not as much of a failure" or "a partial success" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "less of a failure" offers a valuable tool for assessing outcomes, emphasizing progress amid imperfections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not as much of a failure

Simple rephrasing maintaining the same meaning and grammatical structure.

a mitigated failure

Implies the failure's negative effects were lessened.

a limited setback

Indicates that the failure's scope or impact is constrained.

a partial success

Shifts focus to the positive aspects achieved despite not being a complete success.

not a complete disaster

Highlights that the situation, while negative, is not entirely catastrophic.

a setback, not a catastrophe

Emphasizes the situation as a temporary obstacle rather than an ultimate defeat.

an imperfect success

Acknowledges flaws but emphasizes the ultimate achievement.

more of a learning experience

Reframes the failure as an opportunity for growth and improvement.

a stumble, not a fall

Presents the failure as a temporary loss of balance rather than a complete collapse.

a step in the right direction

Highlights positive momentum despite the failure.

FAQs

How can I use "less of a failure" in a sentence?

You can use "less of a failure" to compare outcomes, highlighting that one situation is not as unsuccessful as another. For example, "While the project didn't fully succeed, it was "less of a failure" than the previous attempt".

What are some alternatives to "less of a failure"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not as much of a failure", "a partial success", or "a limited setback".

When is it appropriate to use "less of a failure"?

It's appropriate when you want to acknowledge that something didn't fully succeed but also want to emphasize that it represents an improvement over a previous attempt or a less desirable outcome. Ensure your audience understands that it is a relative term.

Is "less of a failure" always a negative statement?

While it acknowledges shortcomings, "less of a failure" isn't always entirely negative. It can convey progress and learning, suggesting that improvements have been made, even if complete success hasn't been achieved. Its connotation is still more negative than purely positive.