they have failed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they have failed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone did not succeed in doing something. For example: "The team had high ambitions, but unfortunately they have failed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They have failed miserably".

The New York Times

Ethically, they have failed.

The New York Times - Books

They have failed.

The New York Times

So far, they have failed.

The New York Times

They have failed each time.

The New York Times

But they have failed.

The Guardian

And they have failed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mostly, they have failed.

The New York Times

They have failed," said Mr Miliband.

Independent

In most jurisdictions, they have failed.

The New Yorker

"They have failed on the job".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they have failed", ensure that the context clearly identifies who "they" refers to, and what specific goal or task they failed to achieve. Clarity is crucial for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "they have failed" without providing specific evidence or examples to support the claim. Vague statements can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have failed" functions as a declarative statement expressing the lack of success on the part of a specific group or entity. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness and usability. It serves to report a negative outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they have failed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a lack of success, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, and formal business contexts, its function is to convey information, often with a neutral or objective tone. When employing this phrase, clarity is paramount; ensure the referent of "they" is unambiguous and provide supporting evidence to avoid overgeneralization. Consider alternatives like "they did not succeed" or "they were unsuccessful" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they did not succeed

This is a straightforward and neutral alternative, directly stating the lack of success.

they were unsuccessful

This alternative uses an adjective to describe their lack of success, slightly more formal.

they were unable to

A simple and direct way of stating their inability to do something.

they didn't manage to

This focuses on the inability to achieve a specific goal or task.

they fell short of expectations

This indicates a failure to meet anticipated or desired outcomes.

their efforts were in vain

This emphasizes the futility of their efforts, adding a sense of disappointment or wasted effort.

they came up short

An informal way of saying they didn't reach the required standard or target.

they proved inadequate

This suggests a lack of the necessary qualities or skills for success.

they missed the mark

A metaphor indicating that their efforts were misdirected or ineffective.

they couldn't pull it off

Informal, meaning they were unable to execute or achieve something successfully.

FAQs

How can I use "they have failed" in a sentence?

Use "they have failed" to indicate that a group or entity has not achieved a desired outcome. For example, "Despite their best efforts, "they have failed" to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to saying "they have failed"?

You can use alternatives such as "they did not succeed", "they were unsuccessful", or "they fell short" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "they failed" or "they have failed"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "they failed" implies a completed action in the past, while "they have failed" suggests a failure that has relevance to the present situation. For example, "They failed to secure funding last year" vs. "They have failed to address the ongoing issues".

What's the difference between "they failed" and "they were failing"?

"They failed" indicates a completed action of not succeeding. "They were failing" implies a continuous state of not succeeding at a certain point in time, suggesting an ongoing process or struggle.