Cool MateFailed vs That didn't work out
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Failed
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
That didn't work out
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Failed
| Failed | That didn't work out | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪld/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæt ˈdɪdnt wɜːk aʊt//🇺🇸 //ðæt ˈdɪdnt wɜrk aʊt// |
| Meaning | not successful | It didn’t succeed or have a good result. |
| Example | a failed writer | After months of effort, that didn't work out for the team. |
| 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 | work out a plan, work out issues, work out details |
| 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 | Using 'out' incorrectly - 'work' and 'out' are part of the phrase., Confused with 'work it out,' which means to solve a problem., Misusing in positive contexts - it's specifically for failures. |
| 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. | Used to express that a plan or idea failed. Appropriate in both casual and formal settings. Avoid in very formal documents. |
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Frequently asked questions: Failed vs That didn't work out
What's the difference between Failed and That didn't work out?
Failed: not successful That didn't work out: It didn’t succeed or have a good result.
Which is more common: Failed and That didn't work out?
Failed is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Failed: a failed writer That didn't work out: After months of effort, that didn't work out for the team.
Can I use Failed and That didn't work out interchangeably?
Not always. Failed and That didn't work out 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.