fails

IPA/feɪl/
KK[fˈelz]IPA/feɪl/

fails — 動詞

  • failspresent simple I / you / we / they
  • failses3rd person singular
  • failsing-ing form
  • failsedpast simple

1. to try to reach a goal or do something you planned, but not achieve it.

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

失敗

未達到預期目標或結果

to try to reach a goal or do something you planned, but not achieve it.

例句

Erik trained for months but still failed to complete the marathon.

Erik 訓練了好幾個月，但還是未能跑完馬拉松。

fail + to-infinitive for effort without result

The local team failed in their attempt to find a sponsor for the youth club.

當地的球隊為青少年俱樂部尋找贊助商的嘗試最終失敗了。

fail in + noun phrase

同義詞
  • fall short

    less direct; suggests a small margin of failure

  • come up short

    informal; emphasizes the gap between goal and result

反義詞
  • succeed

    achieve what you set out to do

文法句型

fail + to-infinitive

fail in + noun phrase

fail at + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often takes a to-infinitive to specify what was not achieved. When used without an object, the failed goal is implied from context.

常見錯誤

❌He failed passing the test.
✅He failed to pass the test.
💡after 'fail', use 'to + infinitive', not a gerund.
❌I failed in pass the exam.
✅I failed to pass the exam.' or 'I failed the exam.
💡'fail in' takes a noun, not a verb.

2. used to introduce a final possibility or last available option, after other poss

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

不得已

其他方法都不成功時的最後選項

used to introduce a final possibility or last available option, after other possibilities have stopped working.

例句

If all else fails, we can sleep in the car until the morning ferry arrives.

如果其他方法都不行，我們可以睡在車上，等早上渡輪來。

fixed phrase: if all else fails

Heather will ask for a two-week extension; if that fails, she plans to take medical leave.

Heather 打算申請延長兩週；如果不行，她計劃請病假。

conditional: if that fails

同義詞

文法句型

if all else fails ...

if ... fails, ...

用法筆記

The fixed phrase 'if all else fails' usually appears at the beginning of a sentence and introduces a last-resort plan. 'If that fails' refers back to a specific option just mentioned.

3. to not reach the required standard in a test, exam, or course; or to decide that

3.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

不及格；當掉

考試或測驗未達標準

to not reach the required standard in a test, exam, or course; or to decide that a student has not reached that standard.

例句

Kwame failed his driving test because he did not check the mirrors before turning.

Kwame 的駕照考試沒過，因為他轉彎前沒有看後視鏡。

fail + exam name

The professor failed nearly half the class after the final exam results came in.

期末考試成績出來後，教授當掉了班上將近一半的學生。

fail + person (teacher gives failing grade)

同義詞
  • flunk

    informal, mainly American English

反義詞
  • pass

    reach the required standard

文法句型

fail + [exam/test/subject]

fail + [student]

fail in + [subject]

用法筆記

When a teacher 'fails' a student, the teacher decides the grade. When a student 'fails' a subject, the student did not reach the pass mark. In British English, 'fail an exam' is common; in American English, 'fail a test' or 'fail a class' are used.

常見錯誤

❌I failed from the exam.
✅I failed the exam.
💡no preposition needed before the exam name.

4. to neglect to do something you were supposed to do, especially a necessary task

4.動詞及物B1
釋義

未能；未盡

沒有做應該做的事

to neglect to do something you were supposed to do, especially a necessary task that others or you yourself depend on.

例句

The landlord failed to fix the broken heater despite three written complaints from the tenants.

房東未修理故障的暖氣，儘管房客已提出三次書面投訴。

fail to fix — neglecting a duty

Valentina failed to mention the quarterly report was due Friday, not Monday, so the team missed the deadline.

Valentina 忘記提到季度報告是星期五要交，而不是星期一，結果整個團隊錯過了截止日期。

fail to mention — omitting important information

同義詞
  • neglect

    stronger; suggests carelessness or intentional disregard

  • omit

    more neutral; often used for leaving something out

反義詞

文法句型

fail + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (NOT SUCCEED), this sense implies an obligation or expectation that was not met. The subject is often an organization or a person in a position of responsibility.

常見錯誤

❌He failed mentioning the problem.
✅He failed to mention the problem.
💡use 'to + infinitive', not a gerund.

5. to be unable to express your feelings because you are extremely surprised, angry

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

說不出話

因極度驚訝或憤怒而無法表達

to be unable to express your feelings because you are extremely surprised, angry, or shocked by something.

例句

Words fail me when I try to describe the kindness the neighbours showed after the fire.

當我想形容火災後鄰居們展現的善意時，我不知道該說什麼才好。

fixed phrase: words fail me

Ritu stared at the restaurant bill; words simply failed her when she saw the total.

Ritu 難以置信地瞪著餐廳帳單，看到總金額時一句話也說不出來。

同義詞

文法句型

[words/courage/nerve] + fail + [person]

用法筆記

Almost always used in the expression 'words fail me / somebody'. The subject is nearly always the plural 'words', and it expresses an emotional reaction, not a literal inability to speak.

常見錯誤

❌My words fail to explain.
✅Words fail me.
💡the standard phrase uses 'words' as the subject and 'me' / a person as the object.

6. to stop working correctly or stop functioning as expected, usually because of da

6.動詞不及物B1
釋義

故障；衰退

停止正常運作或變弱

to stop working correctly or stop functioning as expected, usually because of damage, age, or wear.

例句

The old refrigerator finally failed during the summer heatwave and all the food spoiled.

那台老冰箱終於在夏季熱浪中壞了，裡面的食物全壞掉了。

appliance stops working

His eyesight began to fail slowly after he turned sixty, and he needed stronger glasses.

他過了六十歲之後視力開始慢慢衰退，需要配更強的眼鏡。

body function weakens

同義詞
  • break down

    more common for machines and vehicles

  • give out

    informal; used for body parts or supplies

反義詞
  • work

    function normally

  • hold up

    continue working despite stress

用法筆記

Commonly used for machines, body parts, and natural functions. Unlike sense 1 (NOT SUCCEED), this sense is about physical or mechanical breakdown, not about goals.

常見錯誤

❌The computer failed working.
✅The computer failed.' or 'The computer stopped working.
💡'fail' alone means stop functioning; no extra verb needed.

7. when a company, shop, or other organization cannot continue in operation because

7.動詞不及物B1
釋義

倒閉

企業因財務問題無法繼續經營

when a company, shop, or other organization cannot continue in operation because it does not have enough money.

例句

The bakery failed after only eight months because it could not cover the rent and ingredient costs.

這家麵包店只開了八個月就倒閉了，因為付不起房租和原料成本。

small business closure

Several banks failed during the financial crisis, and the government had to step in to help.

金融危機期間有幾家銀行倒閉，政府不得不介入援助。

large institution fails

同義詞
反義詞
  • thrive

    grow and be successful

  • succeed

    stay in business and make a profit

用法筆記

A business can 'fail' and close permanently, or it can 'fail' and be taken over or declared bankrupt. In news reports, 'fail' is often used with 'bank' or 'financial institution'.

常見錯誤

❌The shop failed down.
✅The shop failed.
💡no preposition needed; 'fail' alone means go out of business.

8. to disappoint someone by not doing what they expected or trusted you to do for t

8.動詞及物B1
釋義

辜負

沒有做到別人期望的事而讓人失望

to disappoint someone by not doing what they expected or trusted you to do for them.

例句

Erik promised to pick up his sister from the airport but failed her when his car broke down.

Erik 答應去機場接妹妹，但車子拋錨，結果讓她失望了。

fail + person (disappoint)

The coach felt he had failed the entire team by not preparing them well enough for the match.

教練覺得自己沒有讓球隊做好比賽準備，辜負了整支隊伍。

同義詞
  • let down

    phrasal verb; same meaning, used in both informal and neutral contexts

  • disappoint

    weaker; can describe any unmet expectation

反義詞

文法句型

fail + [person]

用法筆記

When 'fail' takes a person as its object, it always means letting that person down. Unlike sense 1, this is always about a relationship or responsibility between people.

常見錯誤

❌I failed to him.
✅I failed him.
💡when a person is the object, no preposition is used.

fails — 名詞