Meaning & use
failed grades
Last updated
Meanings
nounplural
marks at school that are below the passing level
Grammar: Usually used in the plural. It refers to more than one mark or to marks in general.
Patterns
- get failed grades
- receive failed grades
- failed grades in something
He got failed grades in two subjects last term.
Students with failed grades can take the exam again in summer.
She was worried about failed grades on her final report.
nounplural
a record showing that someone did not pass a course or year
Grammar: Often used when talking about school records or history.
Patterns
- have failed grades on a record
- failed grades from last year
The school keeps a record of failed grades.
His failed grades from last year stopped him from joining the program.
Common combinations
- get failed grades
- If you get failed grades, you may need to repeat the course.
- failed grades in math
- She had failed grades in math and science.
- a record of failed grades
- The university asked for a record of failed grades.
Synonyms and how they differ
- failing grades
- Failing grades is more common in American English and describes marks that are below passing.
- poor grades
- Poor grades means low marks in general; they may still be passing.
- low marks
- Low marks is a broader term and does not always mean a fail.
Opposites
Commonly confused: failed grades or failing grades?
failed grades vs failing grades
Failing grades is the more usual phrase in many varieties of English; failed grades is used in some school systems.
Practice
After receiving ______ in three classes, he had to repeat the year.
Choose one answer.
The phrase is usually plural and means marks below passing: failed grades. 'Failing grade' is singular and would need a different sentence; 'fail grades' is not the usual form.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “failed grades”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.