really fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the extent to which something fails or does not succeed. Example: "Despite all their efforts, the project seemed to really fail in achieving its goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

DOES Faust really fail?

The New York Times

Can they really fail to score 134?

The Guardian - Sport

He can't really fail at that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

" 'Richard II' you can't really fail; it's very, very simple.

The New Yorker

Did I really fail to lock the office?

The Guardian

When pressed, no one in the room seemed to think that JPMorgan Chase or any other behemoth could really fail – implying losses for their creditors – any time soon.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"We have really failed to reach the kids who attend failing schools," said Joseph P. Viteritti, a professor of public policy at New York University.

The New York Times

They have really failed us".

The Guardian

This is where we have really failed.

The New York Times - Magazine

I thought: 'You've really failed.

The Guardian - Books

They have really failed on this".

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really fail" to emphasize the extent to which something falls short of expectations or desired outcomes. It adds a layer of intensity to the concept of failure.

Common error

Avoid using "really fail" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive and diminish its impact. Opt for synonyms or rephrase the sentence to maintain variety and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really fail" functions primarily as an adverb-verb construction. The adverb "really" intensifies the verb "fail", emphasizing the degree or extent of the failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

21%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really fail" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to emphasize the magnitude of a failure. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media and science. While its usage is versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain its impact. Consider synonyms like "completely fail" or "utterly fail" for variety. The phrase is primarily used to express disappointment or disapproval, highlighting that an outcome was significantly unsuccessful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely fail

Intensifies the degree of failure, suggesting a total lack of success.

utterly fail

Similar to 'completely fail', emphasizing a total and undeniable failure.

totally fail

Another way to emphasize a complete lack of success.

absolutely fail

Highlights the certainty and completeness of the failure.

badly fail

Indicates a significant degree of failure, implying negative consequences.

genuinely fail

Emphasizes the authenticity and sincerity of the failure.

truly fail

Similar to 'genuinely fail', stressing the real and honest nature of the failure.

definitely fail

Highlights the certainty that something will not succeed.

certainly fail

Similar to 'definitely fail', underscoring the lack of doubt about the failure.

noticeably fail

Suggests that the failure is easily observed or apparent.

FAQs

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

You can use "really fail" to emphasize the magnitude of a failure, such as "The project seemed to "completely fail" despite the team's best efforts."

What are some alternatives to "really fail"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "utterly fail", ""completely fail"", or "genuinely fail" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it more appropriate to say "truly fail" or "really fail"?

Both "truly fail" and "really fail" are grammatically correct, but "really fail" is more commonly used in contemporary English. The choice depends on the desired tone and emphasis.

What does it mean when something "really fails"?

When something "really fails", it means it has not only failed, but the failure is significant and noticeable. It highlights that the outcome was far from successful.