fail可作及物动词，也可以作不及物动词；failure作不可数名词时表示“失败”这个结果，而作可数名词时表示“一次失败的经历”。


正确用法

Something fails. 某事以失败告终。

fail in one's attempt to do something 某人没能做成某事

fail to do something 没能做成某事

fail a subject 没能完成一门学科

fail a test/exam 测试/考试失利

never fail to do something 从未做不到某事

fail someone 让某人失望

failure to do something 没能做成某事


汉译英练习


  • 由于久坐的生活方式，不少高中生和大学生长期缺乏锻炼，往往无法通过常规体能测试。

Because of their sedentary lifestyle, quite a few high school and college students have long lacked exercise and thus often fail physical fitness tests.


  • 这位作家的作品有着让人欲罢不能的剧情、富有魅力的角色和无与伦比的设定，因此总让读者感到惊艳。

The author's books-addictive plots,charismatic characters,unparalleled settings-have never failed to amaze his readers.