utterly fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a complete or total failure in a situation or task. Example: "Despite all the preparation, the project was set to utterly fail due to lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Don't blame me if I utterly fail".

The New York Times

Did some man-hater utterly fail to consider men in the renovation?

The New York Times

They are two worlds that physically touch, but utterly fail to acknowledge each other.

The Guardian - Arts

A subordinate claimed that Van Dorn "did utterly fail and neglect to discharge his duties" at Corinth.

The New York Times

But these comments utterly fail to recognise the emotional and physical impact of being accosted or assaulted.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead we are treated to an overwritten and waywardly plotted play, featuring anemic cartoon characters whose exploits utterly fail to engage your interest.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The international community has utterly failed Syrians, by failing to protect them from mass atrocities.

The Guardian - Opinion

And he utterly failed".

The Guardian

I utterly failed".

The Guardian - Opinion

They tried to resist, and utterly failed".

The New York Times

Multiculturalism "has failed, utterly failed," Mrs. Merkel said last October.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly fail" to emphasize the completeness of a failure, particularly when you want to convey a sense of finality or lack of any redeeming qualities in the outcome. For example, "The marketing campaign utterly failed to resonate with the target audience."

Common error

Avoid using "utterly fail" in casual conversation or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly dramatic or stilted in everyday contexts. Opt for more natural alternatives like "totally failed" or "completely flopped" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly fail" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "utterly" modifies the verb "fail" to intensify its meaning. As stated by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable. Example from Ludwig: '...the project was set to utterly fail due to lack of funding.'

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly fail" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a complete lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news and media, scientific writing, and formal business contexts to emphasize the comprehensive nature of failure. Alternatives like "completely fail" or "totally fail" can be used, although "utterly" provides a stronger emphasis. While widely applicable, it should be used judiciously in informal settings to avoid sounding overly dramatic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely fail

Emphasizes the thoroughness of the failure, interchangeable in many contexts.

totally fail

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the failure, similar in intensity to "utterly".

entirely fail

Stresses that the failure is without exception, closely aligned in meaning.

absolutely fail

Indicates a complete and unconditional failure, conveying strong conviction.

thoroughly fail

Focuses on the exhaustive and comprehensive aspect of the failure.

fall flat

An idiomatic expression implying a complete lack of success or impact.

be a complete failure

Shifts the focus to describing the result as a failure, rather than the action of failing.

prove unsuccessful

A more formal way of expressing failure, often used in professional contexts.

come to nothing

Suggests that efforts did not produce any positive outcome or result.

miss the mark

Implies a failure to achieve the intended target or goal.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly fail" to emphasize that something has completely not succeeded. For instance, "The negotiations "utterly fail" to produce an agreement."

What can I say instead of "utterly fail"?

You can use alternatives like "completely fail", "totally fail", or "entirely fail" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "utterly fail" or "completely fail"?

Both ""utterly fail"" and "completely fail" are correct. "Utterly" often adds a stronger emphasis, but they are largely interchangeable.

What's the difference between "utterly fail" and "miss the mark"?

"Utterly fail" suggests a complete lack of success, while "miss the mark" implies a failure to achieve the intended goal or target but doesn't necessarily denote a total failure. The latter suggests being close but not quite reaching success.