sense of failure

USAGE SUMMARY

'sense of failure' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to feeling of disappointment or inadequacy. For example, "After failing his exams, he had a strong sense of failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Talk about a sense of failure".

The New York Times

I leave with a sense of failure.

The Guardian - Film

It's the easy questions that leave a sense of failure.

The New York Times

The sense of failure, it seems, entered his soul.

The Guardian - Books

I prize this sense of failure – embrace it even.

The Guardian - Books

He adjusted poorly, feeling overwhelmed by a sense of failure.

The New Yorker

"I have no sense of failure here," he said.

The New York Times

She feels shame and a sense of failure.

The New York Times - Health

I walked with an unbearable sense of failure.

The New York Times

He recalls a friend and counselor confiding his own sense of failure.

Stanford University

And to share a laugh about the sense of failure until it fades away.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sense of failure" to honestly and transparently acknowledge negative emotions, for instance, "Despite the project's overall success, I couldn't shake a persistent sense of failure regarding the missed deadlines".

Common error

Avoid using "sense of failure" too broadly. Instead of stating "I feel a sense of failure", specify the area or situation where this feeling originates to provide clarity and context, such as "I feel a sense of failure in my attempts to balance work and personal life".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of failure" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a subjective emotional state, indicating a feeling of not meeting expectations or achieving desired outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sense of failure" is a common and grammatically correct way to express feelings of disappointment and inadequacy, according to Ludwig AI. It frequently appears in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While it can be used in various contexts, it's important to provide specific details about the situation causing the feeling to enhance clarity. Related phrases include "feeling of inadequacy" and "feeling of disappointment", which offer similar but nuanced ways to express these emotions. By avoiding overgeneralization and providing context, you can effectively communicate the emotional impact of perceived failures.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of inadequacy

Emphasizes a general feeling of not being good enough, rather than a specific failure.

feeling of disappointment

Focuses on the sadness and letdown resulting from unmet expectations.

feeling of defeat

Highlights the experience of being overcome or beaten by a challenge.

perception of inadequacy

Highlights subjective nature of feeling and it's interpretation instead of objective failure.

awareness of shortcomings

Focuses on recognizing one's own limitations or weaknesses.

experience of frustration

Emphasizes the emotional experience of being blocked from achieving a goal.

belief in incompetence

Highlights that it is something that is believed rather than something real.

conviction of unsuccessfulness

Emphasizes a firm belief in one's lack of success.

realization of falling short

Focuses on the moment of understanding that one has not met a required standard.

impression of non-achievement

Highlights how one's work can be perceived as non-resultative.

FAQs

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

You can use "sense of failure" to express feelings of disappointment or inadequacy when you don't achieve your goals. For example, "After the project failed, I was overwhelmed by a "sense of failure"".

What's a more formal way to say "sense of failure"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "feeling of inadequacy", "awareness of shortcomings", or "perception of non-achievement" to convey a similar meaning with a more refined tone.

What emotions are typically associated with a "sense of failure"?

A "sense of failure" is often associated with emotions such as disappointment, sadness, frustration, and sometimes shame or guilt, depending on the circumstances.

How does "sense of failure" differ from "feeling of disappointment"?

While both phrases relate to negative emotions, ""sense of failure"" implies a deeper sense of inadequacy and falling short of expectations, whereas "feeling of disappointment" usually refers to a more specific unmet expectation or desire.