she was failed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she was failed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone did not succeed or was not successful, often in an academic or evaluative setting. Example: "Despite her hard work, she was failed in the final exam, which was disheartening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

She was failed by the system and we were failed by it too.

The Guardian

"She was failed by society on so many levels and at so many points down the line it's just horrific.

Independent

She was failed by numerous agencies and, for 19 years, was addicted to heroin and crack, supporting her habit in any way she could.

The Guardian

In one version, she was failed by a cocktail of prescribed medication, in another she was pushed to suicide by harassing tax investigators, according to the Post.

Vice

By the time she was 15 years old, she was closer with Canada's justice system than its education system, and she was failed by it time and time again.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

She feels like she's failed on this front.

The Guardian

You can't tell Lindsay Lohan she can never have a beer again or she's failed.

The New York Times

She's failed to book the day off work to show her nephews round the park she manages and can't even remember how old they are.

The Guardian - Film

"She's failed to establish factually why she can't comply," he said; her sincerely held beliefs were "simply … insufficient" as reason to disobey the order.

The Guardian

I can see what she's getting at, but where she's failed is that she's picked obscure products that you're really going to spend time having to go hunt for.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If despite her knobby knees and hairy limbs she fools you, she's failed.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she was failed" when you want to emphasize that someone was negatively affected by a system or process, rather than simply stating they didn't succeed on their own. It shifts the focus to external factors.

Common error

Avoid using "she was failed" when the individual's actions were the primary cause of the negative outcome. This phrase implies external factors were the main reason for the failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she was failed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an external force or system caused someone to not succeed. It shifts the focus from the individual's actions to the shortcomings of an institution or process. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "she was failed" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to express that someone did not succeed because of systemic issues or lack of adequate support. Ludwig AI confirms it is usable and correct in written English.

Usage is relatively rare, but the phrase effectively shifts blame from the individual to external factors. It's commonly found in news and media when discussing societal failures or institutional shortcomings. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context genuinely reflects an external failure rather than individual responsibility. Alternatives like "she did not receive adequate support" or "the system failed her" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she did not receive adequate support

Emphasizes the absence of necessary assistance.

the system failed her

Highlights the systemic failure rather than individual failing.

she was let down by the institution

Focuses on disappointment and betrayal by an organization.

she was underserved

Highlights the lack of adequate service or resources.

she did not get the help she needed

Simple and direct, emphasizing unmet needs.

she was abandoned by the authorities

Highlights neglect from figures with authority.

she was a victim of neglect

Focuses on the harmful consequences of not being cared for properly.

she was disadvantaged

Highlights the systemic inequalities leading to a bad outcome.

she was left to fend for herself

Highlights the absence of proper support structure.

she was not given a fair chance

Emphasizes lack of opportunity or equitable treatment.

FAQs

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

You can use "she was failed" to indicate that someone did not receive the necessary support or was let down by a system, for example, "She was failed by the education system and struggled to find a job".

What is a good alternative to "she was failed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "she did not receive adequate support", "the system failed her", or "she was let down by the institution". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "she was failed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "she was failed" is grammatically correct, using passive voice to indicate that an external system or entity caused her failure.

What does it mean when someone says "she was failed"?

It means that someone experienced negative outcomes not due to their own lack of effort or ability, but because a system or institution did not provide the necessary support, resources, or opportunities for them to succeed.