what a failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express disappointment or criticism regarding a person, action, or situation that did not meet expectations. Example: "After the project fell apart, everyone was left thinking, 'What a failure that was.'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"What a failure this revolution was".

The New York Times

What a failure of leadership.

The Guardian

That is what a failure of leadership can do to a great power.

The New York Times

The subject was Mother's birthday party, what a bad idea it had been, what a failure.

The New Yorker

… Instead of the fine, self-righteous rage I was working up about what a failure Obama's presidency has been, I'm left mostly with disappointment.

The New York Times

So did we have such a good time in 1971 by seeing how wretched we were and what a failure our world was?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

What a colossal failure!

Independent

What a wretched failure of imagination – and political nerve.

The Guardian

What a gross failure to anticipate, and to act.

The New York Times

Had I known what a colossal failure this lingerie gift would have been, I never would have tried it.

The New York Times

From now until (at the very least) next summer, Republican consultants will be combing the country for stories of what a rampant failure Obamacare truly is.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a failure" to express strong disappointment or criticism about an outcome. It's most effective when the context makes the reason for the failure immediately apparent.

Common error

While "what a failure" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in highly formal or professional settings where a more nuanced or diplomatic expression of disappointment would be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "the project did not meet expectations" or "the results were less than satisfactory" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a failure" functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey a strong sense of disappointment or criticism. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. It can be used to express frustration, disapproval, or regret about an outcome, situation, or performance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a failure" is a commonly used exclamatory phrase to express strong disappointment or criticism. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in various contexts, including news and media, wiki, and science. While versatile, it is important to consider the formality of the situation and opt for more nuanced alternatives in highly professional settings. Remember to use this phrase to convey disappointment, but be mindful of the context to ensure the tone remains appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complete disaster

Emphasizes the utter failure and chaotic nature of the situation.

huge disappointment

Emphasizes the feeling of letdown resulting from the failure.

total flop

Focuses on the lack of success and public reception of something.

utter debacle

Stresses the embarrassing and chaotic nature of the failure.

resounding defeat

Highlights the conclusive and decisive nature of the failure.

colossal mistake

Highlights the significant error that led to the failure.

abject lesson

Points out the failure as a key to learning from mistakes.

miserable performance

Emphasizes the poor quality and execution of something.

major setback

Focuses on the hindrance caused by the failure.

failed attempt

Neutral expression of an unsuccessful try, not necessarily exclamatory.

FAQs

How can I use "what a failure" in a sentence?

You can use "what a failure" to express disappointment or strong criticism about something that hasn't met the expectations. For example: "The new product launch was "what a failure"!"

What are some alternatives to saying "what a failure"?

You can use alternatives such as "complete disaster", "huge disappointment", or "utter debacle" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "what a failure" suitable for formal writing?

While "what a failure" is grammatically correct, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider more neutral expressions like "the results were unsatisfactory" or "the project did not meet expectations".

What does "what a failure" imply?

"What a failure" implies a strong sense of disappointment, often coupled with criticism. It suggests that something has fallen significantly short of expectations or has been unsuccessful in a notable way.