they were failed

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "they were failed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone did not succeed in achieving something. For example: "The students worked hard but they were failed in the final exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

They were failed by everyone.

The Guardian

"They were failed musicians, really," he laughs.

The Guardian - Music

Even though they were failed experiments, Spanglish, The Cobbler, and Men, Women and Children were at least experiments.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They were failed by a system which ignored the warning signs and put corporate self-interest and cost control ahead of patients and their safety.

The Guardian

Nuala O'Loan, the police ombudsman, played by Brenda Fricker, tells the families they were failed by police before and after the atrocity.

The Guardian

Meanwhile instructors overhead on catwalks watched the trainees perform, eliminating the group's weaker members as if they were failed contestants on a reality show.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"They are failed communication, in a sense".

The New York Times

Some, like Ceres, became large by asteroid standards, but ultimately they are failed planets.

The Guardian

Not that they are failed wordsmiths or shallow thinkers.

Forbes

It argues that, far from cutting bureaucracy, the changes will remove "an essential safety net for children when they are failed by their local authority".

BBC

The generation that spurred the revolution into being are now being forced to watch as they're failed by the government they fought to elect.    .

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were failed", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who caused the failure. This phrasing is most effective when emphasizing external factors or systemic issues rather than individual shortcomings.

Common error

While "they were failed" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or evasive. Consider revising the sentence to use an active voice construction to highlight the responsible party or the specific actions that led to the failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were failed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject (they) experienced a failure caused by an external agent or system. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were failed" is a grammatically sound and relatively common passive construction used to express that a group of people experienced a failure, often due to external factors. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its prevalence in news and media contexts suggests its effectiveness in conveying narratives of systemic failure or neglect. While grammatically correct, writers should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and consider active alternatives for greater clarity and impact. Remember that this phrase emphasizes external responsibility for the failure, making it essential to clarify what or who caused the failure in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were unsuccessful

This alternative uses an adjective to describe their lack of success, maintaining a similar level of formality.

they did not succeed

This alternative replaces the passive voice with an active construction, focusing on the subject's lack of success.

they fell short of expectations

This alternative indicates a failure to meet specific goals or standards.

they did not pass

This is a more specific alternative used in contexts like exams or tests.

they came up short

This idiom suggests that they almost succeeded but ultimately failed.

they were let down

This emphasizes the feeling of disappointment and betrayal, suggesting a failure by others.

they were defeated

This implies a loss in a competition or struggle.

they were abandoned

This suggests a stronger sense of neglect or desertion, implying a lack of support.

they were ineffectual

This describes their actions as not producing the desired effect, highlighting a lack of impact.

they were forsaken

This is a more formal and archaic term for being abandoned or deserted.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were failed" to be more active?

Consider using an active voice construction such as "the system failed them" or "authorities failed them." These alternatives place the emphasis on who or what was responsible for the failure.

Is "they were failed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were failed" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice, indicating that "they" were the recipients of the action of failing.

What does it mean when someone says "they were failed"?

When someone says "they were failed", it means that the individuals in question did not succeed, typically due to external factors or the actions (or inactions) of others. It suggests a system or authority let them down.

What are some alternatives to "they were failed" that emphasize lack of success?

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