quite fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quite fail" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect.
It could be used in contexts where you want to emphasize a complete failure, but it is not commonly used in this form. Example: "Despite their efforts, they did quite fail to meet the deadline."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

To put it in a nutshell, no actor can ever quite fail as Hamlet.

The Guardian

In other words, muddle on with policies which don't quite succeed but don't quite fail but at least keep the euro and the single market alive.

Independent

Perhaps the stress from these decisions led to Tuthill's reply on Nov. 27 to a "telegram from you last evening which I quite fail to understand and which, permit me to say, was quite unnecessary".

The New York Times

It's just that the hopes engendered by the savagely dynamic success of Black Watch, its beautifully authentic take on the language and obsessions and heroism and stupidity of Fife squaddies in Iraq, quite fail here to even sprout wings, let alone fly.

The Guardian

Writing later in the 1970s, however, in their book The Beatles: An Illustrated Record, Roy Carr and Tony Tyler dismissed it with the words: "Doleful, lacklustre, would-be singalongs which quite fail to arouse".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

What Churchill quite failed to grasp was the importance of sheer mass in modern war, as opposed to "The British Way in Warfare".

The New York Times - Books

But lost in the rapture of anticipation And thinking how great was my brilliant creation I quite failed to note as I gazed into space That incendiary things were about to take place: That which had ignited my literary passion, Was about to ignite what my passion had fashion'd.

The Guardian - Books

These examples suggest an analogy with perceptual illusions, which a correct belief sometimes quite fails to dispel.

SEP

And if they stand firm, which they quite often fail to do, none of it may become law.

The Economist

I've even heard that a Y Combinator representative said that CEOs with "thick unintelligible foreign accents" quite simply fail.

TechCrunch

It is estimated that L1-VLP vaccines, which require a fairly complex production system and are still quite costly, fail to cover 20 30% of HPV cervical cancers worldwide, especially in low-resource countries.

Vaccine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quite fail", ensure that the context implies a significant or complete lack of success, not just a minor shortfall.

Common error

Avoid using "quite fail" in highly formal or academic writing where precision and clarity are paramount. Opt for more conventional and unambiguous alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "quite fail" functions as a verb phrase, modifying the verb "fail" to emphasize the extent of the failure. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase may sound awkward or incorrect to some. Its usage aims to intensify the sense of lacking success.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "quite fail" is used to emphasize a strong degree of failure, although Ludwig AI points out that its use can be seen as somewhat awkward. More common and clearer alternatives, such as "completely fail" or "utterly fail", are often preferred. While the phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and wiki sources, it is generally best to reserve its use for situations where a complete lack of success needs to be emphasized, and it should be avoided in highly formal writing. Despite not being strictly grammatically incorrect, it's less frequent and more likely to be perceived as unusual.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely fail

Indicates a total lack of success; emphasizes the completeness of the failure.

utterly fail

Similar to "completely fail", but with an even stronger emphasis on the extent of the failure.

totally fail

Emphasizes the entirety of the failure, leaving no room for partial success.

absolutely fail

Highlights the decisiveness and thoroughness of the failure.

flatly fail

Suggests a direct and unambiguous failure, without any mitigating factors.

decidedly fail

Implies that the failure was clear and unmistakable.

roundly fail

Suggests a comprehensive and undeniable failure.

unquestionably fail

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of doubt surrounding the failure.

thoroughly fail

Implies a comprehensive and exhaustive failure, encompassing all aspects.

distinctly fail

Indicates a clear and noticeable failure, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

FAQs

How can I use "quite fail" in a sentence?

You can use "quite fail" to emphasize a complete lack of success, as in "The project did "completely fail" to meet its objectives."

What are some alternatives to "quite fail"?

Alternatives include "utterly fail", "completely fail", or "totally fail". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "quite fail" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "quite fail" is less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to use alternatives like "completely fail" for improved clarity.

Which is more common, "quite fail" or "completely fail"?

Completely fail is significantly more common and generally preferred for its straightforwardness and clarity. "Quite fail" is rarer and may be perceived as slightly unusual.