to fail vs to be failed

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'To fail' is used when someone does not succeed in achieving a goal or passing a test. 'To be failed' is used when someone is not successful in a particular situation due to external factors or when someone else causes the failure.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 2301 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"to fail"

This phrase is used when someone does not succeed in achieving a goal or passing a test.

Examples:

He failed the exam because he didn't study.
The project failed due to lack of funding.

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You had to know this Union scheme was doomed to fail.
- this job is bound to fail.
You mean plenty of ways to fail.
I have sacrificed too much to fail now.
Without these things, we're bound to fail.
I have yet to fail... at defusing one.
Some men are destined to fail, John.
They were also doomed to fail right from the start.
'I do not believe we are destined to fail.
This whole janitor gambit was designed to fail.
That is why you're destined to fail.
Finally a compliment, and it's on my ability to fail.
Since Quantico, you have managed to fail both upward and downward by virtue of a nonexistent arrest record.
Some people are just destined to fail.
April, just... this marriage is doomed to fail.
We didn't come this far to fail.
Football... Is not too big to fail.
Those who do not are doomed to fail.
Your plan is bound to fail.
Your silk application is... unlikely to fail.

Alternatives:

to not succeed
to be unsuccessful
to fall short

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

"to be failed"

This phrase is used when someone is not successful in a particular situation due to external factors or when someone else causes the failure.

Examples:

The students were failed by the teacher because of cheating.
The company was failed by the government regulations.

Show examples from the web [+]

I just had to be sure they failed.
Furthermore, to the best of my knowledge, no agreement between the European Union and third countries has to date failed to be signed because the legal framework implemented in a given case has been inadequate.
Since you failed to be one 20 years ago.
These problems are significant and typified by Eurostat and have failed to be addressed.
Significant biological effects failed to be identified.
When replying to my Question P-4154/05 of 20 December 2005, the Commission failed to be specific and gave only evasive answers.
The Treaty of Nice has failed to be adopted.
These ratios appeared to be very conservative and failed to take account of BGB's specific problems.
And mention was failed to be made of this uncanny crew.
I trained Vaun and the others to be better; they failed us.
Once again, in my mother's eyes, I had failed to be good.
It failed to be ratified however due to a rejection of the text in popular referendums in France and the Netherlands in 2005.
This was an absurd way to settle the burden-sharing issue and thus also failed to be supported by a majority of the Council.
Watched as we have taken what was to be a paradise and failed in our responsibilities as its steward.
He was about to be expelled because he failed my course.
This is a unique situation - until now no European agency has ever failed to be granted discharge.
Economic policy coordination is to be built on the failed principles of the Stability and Growth Pact.
The official EPA review due to be completed last December failed to provide a full and comprehensive report of the status of negotiations.
when the duty to prevent infringement failed to be fulfilled
Under those circumstances, the Italian State is to be regarded as having failed to fulfil its obligations under that provision.

Alternatives:

to be unsuccessful due to
to be let down by
to be unsuccessful because of

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to fail vs to be failed

"to fail"

"to be failed"

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