simply fail

USAGE SUMMARY

"simply fail" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express a thought in a succinct manner, such as: "I did not expect him to simply fail the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The people who simply fail.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Other students simply fail without such expensive aids.

The New York Times

On capacity alone, existing infrastructure will simply fail if it is not drastically improved.

The Guardian

The MPs on this point simply fail to understand how law works in practice.

The Guardian

"It can't afford artistic successes that simply fail at the box office".

The New York Times

Instead, ovulation is tied to a woman's fat stores: those who are very thin simply fail to menstruate.

The New Yorker

"Reporters and editors are rushed on deadline; they simply fail to double-check; the reporter misreads her notes.

The New York Times

It could either split into philosophical factions or, as it did under Lord Pearson, simply fail to generate attention.

The Guardian

But these comparisons do not provide evidence of his innocence; they simply fail to provide evidence of his guilt.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Schoenfeld had little or no tolerance for those who would disparage theater or even simply fail to praise it.

The New York Times

There is also a chance that delegates will simply fail to agree or fail to sell an agreed proposal to the public.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "simply fail" when you want to express a straightforward lack of success or the inability to achieve a desired outcome without unnecessary complication. It conveys a clear and direct message, often implying that no further explanation or excuse is needed.

Common error

Avoid overusing "simply fail" in highly formal or academic writing, where more nuanced vocabulary may be more appropriate. Consider using alternatives such as "fall short", "prove inadequate", or "be unsuccessful" to convey a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply fail" functions as an adverbial modifier followed by a verb, indicating a straightforward lack of success or the inability to achieve a desired outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig showcase its versatility across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simply fail" is a grammatically sound phrase that serves to directly express the absence of success or the inability to achieve a desired outcome. It's commonly found across diverse contexts, with particularly high prevalence in News & Media and Scientific sources according to Ludwig. While considered acceptable for general use, more formal writing might benefit from more sophisticated alternatives such as "prove inadequate" or "fall short of expectations". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "simply fail" is correct for use in written English, particularly where a clear and uncomplicated message is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely fail

Emphasizes the totality of the failure.

easily fail

Highlights the ease or likelihood of failure.

utterly fail

Stresses the extent and degree of failure.

absolutely fail

Emphasizes the certainty of the failure.

invariably fail

Indicates that failure is a consistent outcome.

uniformly fail

Emphasizes the consistent failure across instances.

naturally fail

Suggests that failure is an expected or logical outcome.

typically fail

Highlights failure as the usual occurrence.

consistently fail

Highlights failure as a repetitive occurrence.

habitually fail

Implies a failure that is a matter of habit.

FAQs

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

You can use "simply fail" to indicate a straightforward lack of success. For example: "The project will "simply fail" if we don't secure more funding."

What's a more formal way to say "simply fail"?

In more formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "prove inadequate", "fall short of expectations", or "be unsuccessful" as alternatives to "simply fail".

Is it ever appropriate to use "simply fail" in academic writing?

While "simply fail" is grammatically correct, it might be perceived as too informal for some academic contexts. Consider the tone and audience of your writing when deciding whether to use "simply fail" or a more formal alternative.

What's the difference between "completely fail" and "simply fail"?

"Completely fail" emphasizes the totality of the failure, while "simply fail" just states the lack of success. "Completely fail" suggests that there was absolutely no success.