was failed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was failed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is the passive form of the verb "fail," which can be used in the past, present, or future tenses. Example: The student was failed by the professor on the examination.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was failed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mary Bell was failed miserably in 1968.

The Guardian - Opinion

In many ways my father was failed.

The Guardian

Creedon's family say he was "failed by the system".

The Guardian - Opinion

"The biggest risk" was failed leadership, said Shetty.

The Guardian - Business

The specimen that was strengthened with X-shaped CFRP strips was failed with premature shear failure.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Only the S1 target level for odor intensity was failed to achieve.

Atmospheric Environment

A student who fails an exam may be re-examined only once, in whichever field was failed.

Columbia University

In some oilfields, more than 95% of thermal recovery well's casing was failed due to thermal stresses.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Instead, the court heard evidence that he was failed by everyone responsible for his care.

The Guardian

Mr Clough believes his daughter was failed twice by the system.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was failed", ensure the context clearly identifies who or what caused the failure. For example, "The student was failed by the system" provides more clarity than just "The student was failed".

Common error

Avoid using "was failed" when the active voice is more direct and impactful. Instead of "The project was failed by the team", consider "The team failed the project" to emphasize accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was failed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received a failing grade or did not succeed due to external factors or circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

45%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was failed" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe a lack of success or a failing grade. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and frequently used phrase found across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While "was failed" is commonly used, consider whether active voice might be more direct and impactful in your writing. Alternatives like "did not succeed" or "was unsuccessful" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was unsuccessful

Similar to 'did not succeed' but slightly more formal.

did not succeed

Provides a general alternative emphasizing lack of success.

did not pass

Focuses on not meeting a required standard or threshold.

fell short

Expresses the idea of not reaching a desired level or standard.

received a failing grade

Focuses specifically on academic assessment outcomes.

was unsupported

Focuses on the absence of backing or assistance.

was let down

Highlights the feeling of disappointment resulting from unmet expectations.

was neglected

Indicates a lack of proper attention or care.

was underserved

Emphasizes the lack of adequate service or support.

was found wanting

A more formal way of saying something was insufficient or lacking.

FAQs

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

The phrase "was failed" is used to indicate that someone or something did not succeed or was given a failing grade. For example, "The student "was failed" on the exam", or "The attempt "was failed" due to lack of resources".

What can I say instead of "was failed"?

You can use alternatives such as "did not succeed", "was unsuccessful", or "did not pass" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was failed" or "failed"?

Both can be correct depending on the context. "Failed" is active voice (e.g. "The team failed"), while "was failed" is passive voice (e.g. "The project "was failed" by the team"). Choose the voice that best suits your emphasis.

What's the difference between "was failed" and "was unsuccessful"?

"Was failed" often implies a specific assessment or attempt that resulted in failure, whereas "was unsuccessful" is a broader term indicating a lack of success in general.