fail in
fail in — phrasal verb
- fail inbase form
- fails in3rd person singular
- failing in-ing form
- failed inpast simple
1. to be unable to achieve a goal you set for yourself or that others expect of you
to be unable to achieve a goal you set for yourself or that others expect of you, especially after trying hard.
Heather failed in her attempt to open a small bakery near the train station.
collocation: fail in + attempt to
The recycling programme failed in its goal of cutting plastic waste by half.
Sven failed in his bid to become captain of the university rowing team.
Caleb failed in his efforts to persuade the landlord to lower the rent.
The new policy failed in its aim to bring more tourists to the region.
- fall short
less formal, suggests coming close but not reaching the target
- not manage
more general, less formal
- come to nothing
idiomatic, suggests the effort produced no result at all
- succeed in
direct opposite — achieving the goal
文法句型
fail in + noun phrase (attempt/bid/effort/goal)
fail in + possessive + noun (one's attempt to...)
用法筆記
Often followed by a possessive noun and an infinitive (e.g., 'failed in her attempt to...'). More formal than 'did not succeed in.'
常見錯誤
2. to receive a score lower than the passing standard in a formal test, examination
to receive a score lower than the passing standard in a formal test, examination, or assessment of your knowledge or skill.
Sahil failed in the final chemistry exam and had to retake the course in summer.
collocation: fail in + exam
Ziad failed in his driving test for not checking the mirrors before a lane change.
More than half of the class failed in the mathematics assessment last semester.
Xiu was very disappointed when she failed in the entrance exam for the art college.
Dewi failed in her English proficiency test by just three points.
- pass
achieve the passing standard
文法句型
fail in + noun phrase (exam/test/assessment)
fail in + subject area (maths/history)
用法筆記
This sense is more common in British English. In American English, 'fail' is used without 'in' (e.g., 'He failed the test'). Distinguish from sense 1 by the specific context of examinations and assessments.
3. to not carry out a duty, responsibility, or promise that others rightly expect y
to not carry out a duty, responsibility, or promise that others rightly expect you to fulfil.
The hospital failed in its duty to keep patients' medical records private.
collocation: fail in + duty to
Sofia failed in her responsibility to tell the team about the schedule change.
The landlord failed in his obligation to fix the broken heater before winter.
Hoa failed in her promise to look after her neighbour's cat during the holiday.
The school failed in its commitment to provide safe equipment on the playground.
- neglect
stronger, implies intentional disregard
- let down
less formal, focuses on disappointing others
- default on
formal, often legal/financial contexts
文法句型
fail in + noun phrase (duty/responsibility/obligation/promise/commitment)
fail in + possessive + noun (one's duty to...)
用法筆記
Subject is typically an organisation (hospital, company, school) or a person in a position of trust. Often used to criticise a failure of professional or moral duty. The object is an abstract noun (duty, responsibility, obligation, promise, commitment).