Cool MateFailed vs You flunked me
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Failed
Top 1,000 (very common)B2adjective
You flunked me
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: FailedMost common: Failed
| Failed | You flunked me | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/feɪld/"]/🇺🇸 /["/feɪld/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //flʌŋkt mi//🇺🇸 //flʌŋkt mi// |
| Meaning | not successful | You failed me. |
| Example | a failed writer | If you don't study for the exam, you will flunked me. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | failed attempt, failed experiment, failed project, failed to meet, failed grades | flunk a test, flunk out, flunk an exam |
| Antonyms | succeeded, achieved, triumphed | You passed me, You succeeded me, You promoted me |
| 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 | Confusing with 'failed' (e.g., using 'flunk' in formal contexts), Incorrect verb conjugation (e.g., saying 'you flunked me' instead of 'you flunked him/her') |
| 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. | Commonly used among students regarding grades. Not appropriate in formal settings. Use it when speaking casually with peers. |
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Frequently asked questions: Failed vs You flunked me
What's the difference between Failed and You flunked me?
Failed: not successful You flunked me: You failed me.
Which is more formal: Failed and You flunked me?
Failed is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Failed and You flunked me?
Failed is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Failed: a failed writer You flunked me: If you don't study for the exam, you will flunked me.
Can I use Failed and You flunked me interchangeably?
Not always. Failed and You flunked me 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.