she has failed

USAGE SUMMARY

'she has failed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to someone's unsuccessful attempt at something. For example: "After several attempts at passing her driving test, she has failed once again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But when she has failed, she has failed badly.

The Guardian

So far, they said, she has failed to do that.

The New York Times

She has failed to propose any solutions of her own.

The Guardian

"She has failed to communicate her policies to audiences in these countries," Mr. Youngs said.

The New York Times

These two are disappointed that she has failed to act as their obedient front-woman.

The Economist

"She has failed to reach out to the party's many wings".

The New York Times

But she has failed to appeal to voters, winning ratings as low as 3%.

The Economist

She has failed to perfect a suitably meek and modest winning face.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has failed to press a single investigation of any major official in the Pataki administration".

The New York Times

She has failed to break 70 in her last 17 rounds at the Open.

The New York Times - Sports

In which case she has failed since the ball has been swinging for her.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "she has failed", ensure the context clearly defines what she was attempting to achieve. This adds clarity and impact to your statement.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "she has failed" can sound blunt. In formal contexts, consider softer alternatives like "she did not succeed" or "she fell short of expectations" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she has failed" functions as a statement indicating a lack of success or achievement by a female subject. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to convey that someone did not meet a certain standard or accomplish a specific objective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "she has failed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to express that a female subject did not achieve a desired outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, with a slightly formal tone. While effective, consider softer alternatives like "she did not succeed" in sensitive contexts or formal writing. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was trying to achieve to enhance clarity. The phrase is most common in news and media, reflecting its use in analyzing events and outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she was unsuccessful

Emphasizes the lack of a positive outcome, focusing on the result rather than the process.

she did not succeed

A more formal and direct way of saying she didn't achieve her goal.

she fell short

Suggests that she almost reached the goal but didn't quite make it.

she came up short

An idiomatic expression indicating failure to achieve a desired result or meet a certain standard.

she couldn't manage

Focuses on her inability to handle the situation or task.

she proved inadequate

Highlights a lack of necessary skills or qualities.

she was defeated

Implies a loss in a competition or struggle.

her efforts were in vain

Emphasizes that her attempts were fruitless and unproductive.

she floundered

Suggests she struggled and was ineffective in her actions.

she miscarried

A more formal or old-fashioned way to say that a plan or project failed.

FAQs

How can I use "she has failed" in a sentence?

You can use "she has failed" to indicate that a female subject has been unsuccessful in achieving a specific goal or task. For example, "Despite her best efforts, "she has failed" to meet the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "she has failed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "she did not succeed", "she was unsuccessful", or "she fell short", depending on the desired nuance.

Is it better to say "she failed" or "she has failed"?

Both "she failed" and ""she has failed"" are grammatically correct. "She failed" refers to a completed action in the past, while ""she has failed"" emphasizes the present state resulting from the past failure or that the failure has occurred recently and is still relevant.

What's the difference between "she failed" and "she has been failing"?

"She failed" indicates a single, completed instance of failure. "She has been failing", on the other hand, suggests an ongoing or repeated pattern of failure over a period of time.