Cool MateFail vs He's not going to make it
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fail
Top 2,000 (common)A2verb
He's not going to make it
Top 2,000 (common)
| Fail | He's not going to make it | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //hiːz nɒt ˈgəʊɪŋ tə meɪk ɪt//🇺🇸 //hiz nɑt ˈgoʊɪŋ tə meɪk ɪt// |
| Meaning | To not succeed in doing something. | He will not succeed or be able to arrive. |
| Example | I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam. | I tried to finish the project, but it looks like I'm not going to make it. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | dismally, miserably, spectacularly, cannot, can hardly, be bound to, in, try and fail, completely, totally | make it on time, make it through, not going to make it, trying to make it |
| Antonyms | succeed, prevail, triumph | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fail' and 'fail at' - remember 'fail' can stand alone., 'Failed' used incorrectly in progressive tenses - it’s typically past tense., Overusing 'fail' in positive contexts where a softer word like 'struggle' might be better. | Using 'make it' only in positive contexts., Confusing with 'getting there' in terms of physical arrival., Omitting the 'not' when intending to express failure. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fail' in neutral contexts such as reports or everyday conversations. Avoid using it in overly formal situations. For failure in a job or exam, it's often directed towards the action not the person. | Used to indicate failure to succeed or reach a goal. Generally suitable in both spoken and written contexts but leaning towards conversational usage. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fail vs He's not going to make it
What's the difference between Fail and He's not going to make it?
Fail: To not succeed in doing something. He's not going to make it: He will not succeed or be able to arrive.
Can you show an example of each?
Fail: I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam. He's not going to make it: I tried to finish the project, but it looks like I'm not going to make it.
Can I use Fail and He's not going to make it interchangeably?
Not always. Fail and He's not going to make it 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.