fail in
fail in — 片語動詞
- 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
無法達成
未能實現目標或任務
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.
Heather 想在火車站附近開一家小麵包店，但最後沒有成功。
collocation: fail in + attempt to
The recycling programme failed in its goal of cutting plastic waste by half.
這項回收計畫未能達成將塑膠廢棄物減半的目標。
Sven failed in his bid to become captain of the university rowing team.
Sven 競選大學划船隊隊長的努力以失敗告終。
Caleb failed in his efforts to persuade the landlord to lower the rent.
Caleb 說服房東調降租金的努力沒有成功。
The new policy failed in its aim to bring more tourists to the region.
這項新政策未能達成帶動更多遊客到該地區的目標。
- 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
考試未過
未通過考試或測驗
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.
Sahil 期末化學考試沒及格，暑假必須重修這門課。
collocation: fail in + exam
Ziad failed in his driving test for not checking the mirrors before a lane change.
Ziad 因為變換車道前沒有檢查後視鏡，所以駕照考試沒通過。
More than half of the class failed in the mathematics assessment last semester.
上學期班上超過一半的學生數學評量沒有及格。
Xiu was very disappointed when she failed in the entrance exam for the art college.
Xiu 沒通過她想就讀的藝術學院入學考試，感到非常失望。
Dewi failed in her English proficiency test by just three points.
Dewi 的英語能力測驗只差三分就及格了。
- 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
未盡職責
未履行應盡的義務
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.
這家醫院未能善盡保護病人病歷隱私的責任。
collocation: fail in + duty to
Sofia failed in her responsibility to tell the team about the schedule change.
Sofia 沒有盡到告知團隊行程變更的責任。
The landlord failed in his obligation to fix the broken heater before winter.
房東在冬天來臨前沒有履行修理壞掉暖氣的義務。
Hoa failed in her promise to look after her neighbour's cat during the holiday.
Hoa 沒有遵守她幫鄰居在假期期間照顧貓咪的承諾。
The school failed in its commitment to provide safe equipment on the playground.
這所學校未能履行提供安全遊樂場設備的承諾。
- 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).