Cool MateFail vs I'm sorry to let you down
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fail
Top 2,000 (common)A2verb
I'm sorry to let you down
Top 2,000 (common)
| Fail | I'm sorry to let you down | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪl/","/feɪlz/","/feɪld/","/ˈfeɪlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪm ˈsɒri tə lɛt jʊ daʊn//🇺🇸 //aɪm ˈsɔri tə lɛt jʊ daʊn// |
| Meaning | To not succeed in doing something. | I feel bad for not meeting your expectations. |
| Example | I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam. | I’m sorry to let you down, but I can’t come to the meeting. |
| 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 | let someone down, sorry to let you down, I don't want to let you down |
| 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. | Confused with 'let down' as a noun instead of a verb phrase., Using it too frequently can make it lose impact. |
| 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. | Use in personal or professional situations to express regret when disappointing someone. Avoid in very casual contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Fail vs I'm sorry to let you down
What's the difference between Fail and I'm sorry to let you down?
Fail: To not succeed in doing something. I'm sorry to let you down: I feel bad for not meeting your expectations.
Can you show an example of each?
Fail: I didn't study enough, so I knew I would fail the exam. I'm sorry to let you down: I’m sorry to let you down, but I can’t come to the meeting.
Can I use Fail and I'm sorry to let you down interchangeably?
Not always. Fail and I'm sorry to let you down 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.