Cool MateFailed vs You missed the first time
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Failed
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
You missed the first time
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Failed
| Failed | You missed the first time | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪld/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //juː mɪst ðə fɜːst taɪm//🇺🇸 //ju mɪst ðə fɜrst taɪm// |
| Meaning | not successful | You did not succeed at something the first time. |
| Example | a failed writer | You missed the first time to submit your assignment, so now it's late. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | failed attempt, failed experiment, failed project, failed to meet, failed grades | missed opportunity, missed deadline, missed chance |
| Antonyms | succeeded, achieved, triumphed | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'failed' with 'fail' (incorrect verb tense), Using 'failed' with the wrong object (e.g., 'failed the test' instead of 'failed in the test'), Overusing it in informal contexts where lighter terms would be more appropriate | Confused with 'you missed out on the first time', which implies a different meaning., Using it in contexts where 'missed' isn't applicable, like 'You missed the first time to eat.' |
| Usage notes | Use 'failed' to describe attempts that did not succeed. It's neutral and can be used in various contexts, from academic to casual conversations. | Use this phrase when indicating that someone did not achieve something on their first attempt. It's appropriate in both informal and formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Failed vs You missed the first time
What's the difference between Failed and You missed the first time?
Failed: not successful You missed the first time: You did not succeed at something the first time.
Which is more common: Failed and You missed the first time?
Failed is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Failed: a failed writer You missed the first time: You missed the first time to submit your assignment, so now it's late.
Can I use Failed and You missed the first time interchangeably?
Not always. Failed and You missed the first time are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.