totally fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a complete lack of success in a particular task or endeavor. Example: "Despite all the preparation, the project was a total fail, and we had to start over from scratch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

These pieces can change, but they also have the potential to totally fail".

Independent

"The last thing they'd want is for Andersen to just totally fail," Arthur W. Bowman, editor of Bowman's Accounting Report, said of regulators' views.

The New York Times

Constituencies running from Denbigh to Welshpool totally fail to create a community of interest on which MPs can focus their work.

The Guardian

The ML bit synchronization might totally fail without any bit transition.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

In contrast, the controlled sample was totally fail charge/discharge process after less than 20 cycles.

Nanoscale Research Letters

However, his post was prefaced with the words: "This plan could totally fail".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It has totally failed.

The Guardian

"This demonstrates that they have totally failed.

The New York Times - Sports

"The government here has totally failed.

The New York Times

The old ways had totally failed.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it totally failed to communicate them.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally fail" to emphasize the completeness and lack of success in a given situation. It is suitable when highlighting a significant and undeniable failure.

Common error

While "totally fail" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound informal or hyperbolic. Consider using alternatives like "completely fail" or "prove unsuccessful" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally fail" functions as a verb phrase expressing complete lack of success. Ludwig examples show it used to describe projects, plans, or systems that do not achieve their intended outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable for use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally fail" is a commonly used phrase to express a complete lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and it appears frequently in news, scientific, and general contexts. While versatile, it might be too informal for some formal writing. Consider alternatives like "completely fail" or "prove unsuccessful" in professional settings. This phrase serves to strongly emphasize the negative outcome of an attempt or endeavor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely fail

Replaces "totally" with "completely", offering a slightly more formal tone while retaining the core meaning of utter failure.

utterly fail

Substitutes "totally" with "utterly", emphasizing the completeness of the failure with a stronger, more emphatic term.

absolutely fail

Uses "absolutely" in place of "totally" to intensify the sense of complete and undeniable failure.

wholly fail

Replaces "totally" with "wholly", providing a more formal and somewhat archaic synonym that still conveys complete failure.

entirely fail

Substitutes "totally" with "entirely", indicating that the failure is comprehensive and without exception.

fall flat

Uses an idiomatic expression indicating a failure to produce the intended effect or result.

be a complete disaster

Expresses the idea of total failure by describing the situation as a "complete disaster".

prove unsuccessful

Offers a more understated way of saying "totally fail", focusing on the lack of success rather than the totality of the failure.

not succeed at all

This alternative focuses on the absence of any success whatsoever.

come to nothing

This alternative shifts the focus to the lack of meaningful result.

FAQs

What does "totally fail" mean?

The phrase "totally fail" means to completely lack success or to be entirely unsuccessful in an attempt or endeavor. It emphasizes the completeness of the failure.

Is "totally fail" appropriate for formal writing?

While understandable, "totally fail" might be considered too informal for some formal writing contexts. Alternatives like "completely fail" or "prove unsuccessful" may be more suitable.

What are some synonyms for "totally fail"?

Synonyms include "utterly fail", "absolutely fail", "wholly fail", and "entirely fail". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

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

Example: "The project could "totally fail" if we don't secure more funding." or "The government has "totally failed" to provide security to common people."