utterly failed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly failed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a complete or total failure in a particular context or situation. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the project utterly failed to meet its objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

But it utterly failed to keep that crisis from occurring.

The New York Times

But their neighbours utterly failed to spot anything strange.

The Guardian

Sorry.In this section The world's most utterly failed state Jangling nerves Jihadist blowback?

The Economist

The international body set up to conserve these fish has utterly failed to do its job.

The New York Times

It was at this moment that our legal system and our society utterly failed.

The New Yorker

Yet he utterly failed to resolve the conflicts that give rise to it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience. While "utterly failed" is acceptable in most situations, more formal alternatives like "proved fruitless" may be better suited for academic or business writing.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly failed" excessively in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly dramatic. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "didn't work" or "fell flat".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly failed" functions as a predicative expression, where the adverb "utterly" modifies the verb "failed" to emphasize the completeness and totality of the failure. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe situations or attempts that were entirely unsuccessful.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "utterly failed" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a complete lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread usage across various reputable sources. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to emphasize the totality of a failure, though it should be used judiciously in informal contexts where less emphatic alternatives might be more suitable. Consider alternatives like "completely unsuccessful" or "totally ineffective" depending on the desired nuance and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely unsuccessful

Replaces the adverb "utterly" with "completely", maintaining the same level of emphasis on the failure.

failed miserably

Emphasizes the degree of failure, adding an emotional tone.

failed abysmally

Similar to "failed miserably" but with a stronger sense of profound failure.

totally ineffective

Focuses on the lack of effectiveness rather than general failure, implying a specific goal was not achieved.

proved fruitless

More formal and suggests effort was expended but yielded no positive results.

fell flat

An idiomatic expression indicating a lack of impact or success, often in a performance or presentation context.

was a complete flop

Informal, indicating a project or performance that was unsuccessful and disappointing.

came to nothing

Implies the failure was the end result of a process or plan, which did not materialize.

did not succeed at all

A straightforward and less emphatic way of stating the failure.

was a washout

Informal and suggests a complete and obvious failure, often in a single event or attempt.

FAQs

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

The phrase "utterly failed" emphasizes a complete lack of success. For example, "Despite their best efforts, the project "utterly failed" to meet its objectives".

What are some alternatives to "utterly failed"?

You can use alternatives like "completely unsuccessful", "totally ineffective", or "proved fruitless" depending on the context.

Is "utterly failed" too strong for formal writing?

While "utterly failed" is acceptable, consider using more formal options like "proved fruitless" or "did not succeed" in academic or business contexts for a more nuanced tone.

What's the difference between "utterly failed" and "failed miserably"?

"Utterly failed" focuses on the completeness of the failure, while "failed miserably" emphasizes the degree and adds an emotional tone. The choice depends on the desired emphasis.