fail

/feɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /feɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfāl/ (ame, mw)

fail — 動詞

  • failpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • failshe / she / it
  • failedpast simple
  • failing-ing form

1. to aim for a particular result but end up not reaching it, especially after tryi

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

失敗

嘗試後未達成目標

to aim for a particular result but end up not reaching it, especially after trying hard.

例句

Joaquín tried to build a bookshelf, but he failed and had to ask a friend for help.

Joaquín 試著自己做一個書架，但最後失敗了，只好請朋友幫忙。

intransitive: fail without an object

The team failed to win a single match during the whole season.

整季下來，該隊伍一場比賽也沒贏。

fail + to-infinitive for unsuccessful attempt

同義詞
  • not succeed

    neutral, less direct alternative for any failure context

  • fall short

    slightly more formal; suggests you almost reached the goal but did not quite make it

  • come up short

    informal; used especially in sports or competitions

反義詞
  • succeed

    the direct opposite; to achieve what you aimed for

  • manage

    to succeed in doing something despite difficulties

文法句型

fail + to-infinitive

fail + in + noun

fail at + noun

用法筆記

Often paired with 'to + infinitive' to specify what was attempted. The 'fail in + noun' pattern is less common but used for broader efforts.

常見錯誤

❌The company failed to success.
✅The company failed to succeed.
💡After 'fail to', use the base form of a verb, not a noun.
❌I failed in to pass the test.
✅I failed to pass the test.' OR 'I failed in my attempt to pass the test.
💡Do not combine 'in' and 'to' together.

2. a set phrase introducing a different approach that can be taken when every other

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

萬不得已

其他計畫都行不通時的最後選擇

a set phrase introducing a different approach that can be taken when every other plan has not worked.

例句

If all else fails, you can take the train instead of driving through the storm.

如果所有辦法都行不通，你可以改搭火車，避開暴風雪開車。

fixed phrase: if all else fails + suggestion

My grandfather always said, 'If all else fails, try a cup of warm tea and a good rest.'

我的祖父總是說：「要是都不行的話，喝杯熱茶好好休息一下吧。」

同義詞
  • as a last resort

    means the same but is not a complete sentence opener like 'if all else fails'

文法句型

if all else fails, ...

用法筆記

This is a fixed expression. The phrase always begins with 'If all else fails' followed by a comma and a suggestion. Do not change the wording to 'If everything else fails' or 'If all other things fail'.

常見錯誤

❌If everything else fails, call me.
✅If all else fails, call me.
💡The fixed wording is 'all else', not 'everything else'.

3. to get a score below the required standard in a test, class, or course; or to gi

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

不及格；當掉

考試或科目未達標準

to get a score below the required standard in a test, class, or course; or to give a student such a score.

例句

Linh studied very hard but still failed the history exam by two points.

Linh 非常用功，但歷史考試還是差兩分沒過。

transitive: fail + exam name

The teacher failed nearly half the class on the final math test.

數學期末考時，老師給將近半數的學生打了不及格。

transitive: teacher fails students (gives failing grade)

同義詞
  • flunk

    informal; very common in American English for tests and courses

  • bomb

    informal American English; suggests failing badly or dramatically

反義詞
  • pass

    to reach or go above the required standard

  • ace

    informal; to do extremely well on a test

文法句型

fail + noun (exam/test/course)

fail (no object)

be failed by + noun

用法筆記

When the subject is a teacher or examiner, the verb is transitive and means 'to decide that a student has not reached the passing level'. When the subject is a student, it can be transitive ('fail + test') or intransitive ('I failed').

常見錯誤

❌I failed in math test.
✅I failed the math test.' OR 'I failed in math.
💡Use 'the' before a specific test when using 'fail' transitively. 'Fail in' only works with a subject area, not a specific test.
❌I failed from the exam.
✅I failed the exam.
💡No preposition needed; 'fail' takes a direct object for tests.

4. to not carry out an action that was required, expected, or promised.

4.動詞不及物B2
釋義

未盡；未履行

沒做到應做或承諾的事

to not carry out an action that was required, expected, or promised.

例句

The company failed to inform customers about the price increase before it happened.

該公司在漲價之前沒有事先通知客戶。

fail to-infinitive for neglected obligation

Reuben failed to return the library books before the due date and had to pay a fine.

Reuben 未在截止日前歸還圖書館的書，只好付罰款。

同義詞
  • neglect

    stronger; suggests carelessness or intentional avoidance of a duty

  • omit

    more neutral; simply means leaving something out, not necessarily out of negligence

反義詞
  • remember

    to not forget to do what was required

  • manage

    to succeed in doing something expected or required

文法句型

fail + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Only takes the 'to-infinitive' pattern — never 'fail + -ing' or 'fail + that-clause'. The action omitted is almost always something the subject had a responsibility to do, not a personal choice.

常見錯誤

❌He failed making dinner.
✅He failed to make dinner.
💡After 'fail', use the to-infinitive, not the -ing form.
❌They failed that they paid the bill.
✅They failed to pay the bill.
💡'Fail' does not take a that-clause.

5. a polite or formal way of saying that you cannot accept a point of view or canno

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

無法理解

禮貌表達不認同或不明白

a polite or formal way of saying that you cannot accept a point of view or cannot make sense of a situation.

例句

I fail to see why the school rules need to change every single year.

我不明白為什麼學校的規矩每年都要改。

formal: fail to see + why-clause

The judge said she failed to understand how the money had disappeared without any record.

法官表示，她無法理解那筆錢如何在沒有任何記錄的情況下消失了。

同義詞
  • cannot see

    less formal; used in everyday speech to express confusion or disagreement

文法句型

fail + to + see/understand/comprehend + wh-clause

用法筆記

Almost always used with 'to see' or 'to understand', followed by a wh-clause (why, how, what). Found in formal writing, legal documents, and polite disagreement. Not used in casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌I fail to understand it the problem.
✅I fail to understand the problem.
💡Do not add a redundant 'it' before the object.
❌I am failing to see your point.' (in formal writing)
✅I fail to see your point.
💡The simple present is the standard form in this construction.

6. to gradually lose strength and then stop operating as normal, referring to machi

6.動詞不及物B2
釋義

故障；衰退

機器失靈或身體機能減弱

to gradually lose strength and then stop operating as normal, referring to machines, body parts, or systems.

例句

The old washing machine finally failed after fifteen years of constant use.

那台老洗衣機用了十五年，最後終於壞掉了。

machine stops working

Felipe's eyesight began to fail when he was in his late sixties.

Felipe 六十多歲時視力開始衰退。

body function weakens: eyesight/hearing/memory fail

同義詞
  • break down

    used for machines and vehicles; suggests a sudden stop rather than gradual weakening

  • give out

    informal; used for both machines and body parts (e.g., 'his knees gave out')

  • collapse

    more dramatic; used for systems, structures, or health

反義詞
  • function

    to work correctly

  • hold up

    to continue working despite pressure or age

文法句型

fail (no object)

用法筆記

Used for machines, equipment, body functions (eyesight, hearing, memory, health), and natural or mechanical systems. Not used for temporary problems — if something can be easily restarted, use 'break down' or 'stop working' instead.

常見錯誤

❌My phone failed this morning but I turned it back on.
✅My phone stopped working this morning but I turned it back on.
💡'Fail' implies permanent or serious loss of function, not a temporary glitch.
❌His legs failed him to walk.
✅His legs failed him.' OR 'His legs gave out.
💡When body parts fail, no infinitive follows; they simply stop working.

7. to close permanently because there is not enough money to pay debts and keep ope

7.動詞不及物B2
釋義

倒閉

企業因財務困難而關閉

to close permanently because there is not enough money to pay debts and keep operating.

例句

The bakery failed after only six months when a bigger store opened across the street.

那間麵包店才開張六個月就倒閉了，因為對街開了家更大的店。

business fails: permanent closure

Many small shops failed when the large supermarket opened nearby and lowered all prices.

大型超市在附近開幕並降低了所有商品價格後，許多小商店都倒閉了。

同義詞
  • go bankrupt

    specific legal process of being declared unable to pay debts

  • go under

    informal; suggests sinking financially

  • fold

    informal; to close a business, often because of financial difficulty

反義詞
  • thrive

    to grow and be successful

  • survive

    to continue operating despite difficulties

文法句型

fail (no object)

fail (of a business)

用法筆記

Used specifically for businesses, banks, and other commercial organizations. A business that fails usually goes through a legal process such as bankruptcy. Does NOT apply to non-commercial organizations like schools or charities — use 'close' or 'shut down' for those.

常見錯誤

❌The school failed because not enough students enrolled.
✅The school closed because not enough students enrolled.
💡'Fail' for businesses only.
❌The company failed to survive.
✅The company failed.
💡Adding 'to survive' is redundant; 'failed' already implies it could not continue.

8. to break a promise of support by not being there for someone who was depending o

8.動詞及物B2
釋義

辜負；失信

未做到應有的支持而使人失望

to break a promise of support by not being there for someone who was depending on you.

例句

Paul felt that his parents had failed him when they missed his graduation ceremony.

Paul 覺得父母在他畢業典禮時缺席，辜負了他。

transitive: fail + person (disappoint)

The government failed the citizens by not providing clean drinking water after the flood.

洪水過後政府未能提供乾淨的飲用水，辜負了人民的期望。

同義詞
  • let down

    informal; very common in everyday speech; milder than 'fail'

  • disappoint

    broader; covers any kind of unfulfilled expectation, not just broken support

反義詞
  • support

    to give help or encouragement when needed

  • stand by

    to remain loyal and supportive in difficult times

文法句型

fail + person

fail + person + in + noun

用法筆記

The person or group being let down is always the direct object. A 'by + gerund' or 'in + noun' phrase often follows to specify how the failure happened. This sense carries a strong emotional weight — it is not used for small disappointments.

常見錯誤

❌I failed to my friend.
✅I failed my friend.
💡No 'to' before the object. 'Fail' takes a direct object in this sense.
❌My team failed me by not winning.
✅My team let me down.' (if the loss was not about broken support) OR 'My team failed me by not helping when I asked.
💡Use this sense only for betrayal of trust or broken support, not for general disappointment.

fail — 名詞