reflect on failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reflect on failure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the process of thinking deeply about past mistakes or setbacks to learn from them. Example: "In order to grow and improve, it's essential to reflect on failure and understand what went wrong."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

You want to envision your future with a sense of joy, purpose and accomplishment, and yet you reflect on failure like it somehow cancels all of that out.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Members begin this process, called organizational knowledge renewal, by reflecting on failures or successes of old work routines or by using practice innovations championed by leadership (such as in an evidence-based practice guideline).

Health Research Policy and Systems

Mary Shelley is inviting us to reflect on his failure to take care of his own creation in the right way.

The Guardian

As automobile fuel prices and airline fares rise -- and this is only the tip of the iceberg of the burden of higher fuel costs -- we can reflect on our failure to heed Jimmy Carter's warning that we need to be both frugal with our energy and independent of foreign sources of fuel.

Huffington Post

ROME — Pope Benedict XVI said Monday that the continuing sexual abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic Church had reached a "degree we could not have imagined" this year, and that the church must reflect on its failures, help the victims and prevent abusers from becoming priests.

The New York Times

And he said police would also need to "reflect on their failures" in this case.

BBC

If this happens, it's best to just smile bravely, return the child to its parents, rush home, close the curtains, and silently reflect on your failures.

Vice

Amnesty International called on the Spanish government on Monday to "reflect on its total failure to protect its own citizens' privacy".

The Guardian

On Monday, Amnesty International called on the Spanish government to "reflect on its total failure to protect its own citizens' privacy".

The Guardian

"It is time now for the government to reflect on their absolute failure to deal with those issues".

The Guardian

Wilshere escaped with a booking and Hughes was left to reflect on Southampton's failure to take advantage of opponents whose minds were elsewhere for long spells.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reflect on failure", be specific about the lessons learned and how you plan to apply them in the future. Avoid vague statements of regret without actionable insights.

Common error

Avoid drawing broad conclusions from a single instance of failure. Ensure that the lessons you extract are directly applicable and not overly generalized, which might lead to misapplication in different situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reflect on failure" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of thoughtfully considering past mistakes or setbacks. This involves analysis and introspection with the aim of learning and improving, as Ludwig indicates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reflect on failure" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the process of thoughtfully considering past mistakes to facilitate learning and growth. Ludwig's analysis confirms its frequent use across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and business settings. To maximize its impact, be specific about the lessons learned and avoid overgeneralizing from single instances. Alternatives like "contemplate mistakes" or "learn from errors" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

learn from errors

Highlights the educational aspect of experiencing failure.

contemplate mistakes

Replaces "reflect" with "contemplate", focusing on deep thought about errors.

draw lessons from setbacks

Emphasizes the extraction of knowledge from difficult experiences.

analyze shortcomings

Focuses on a detailed examination of weaknesses or defects.

assess setbacks

Shifts the focus to evaluating obstacles and difficulties.

consider what went wrong

Directly addresses the cause of the failure for understanding.

ponder missteps

Uses "ponder" to suggest a more thoughtful consideration of errors.

extract insights from defeat

Puts a positive spin on learning even from complete failures.

review errors

Suggests a formal examination of mistakes made.

evaluate past performance

Focuses on overall past actions to identify points of failure.

FAQs

How can I use "reflect on failure" in a sentence?

You can use "reflect on failure" to describe the process of thinking deeply about mistakes or setbacks to learn from them. For example, "It's important to "learn from errors" by taking some time to "reflect on failure" and identifying areas for improvement."

What are some alternatives to "reflect on failure"?

Alternatives include "contemplate mistakes", "analyze shortcomings", or "assess setbacks". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "reflect on failure" or ignore it?

Ignoring failure can lead to repeating the same mistakes. To "reflect on failure" is crucial for growth and improvement because it allows you to identify the root causes of problems and develop strategies to avoid them in the future.

What's the difference between "reflect on failure" and "dwell on failure"?

"Reflect on failure" implies a thoughtful and constructive analysis aimed at learning and improvement. In contrast, "dwell on failure" suggests a prolonged and often unproductive focus on negative emotions without taking action. Try to "learn from errors" and avoid dwelling on them.