Learn English – Proper usage of the expression “words fail me”

expressionsspoken-english

I am trying to use the expression “words fail me” and I want to know if these sentences are formed correctly:

  1. Look at this mess, words fail me.
  2. This comment is so ridiculous that words fail me.

Is there any other proper expressions with similar nuance above sentences, please let me know.

Best Answer

Words fail (someone) is an idiomatic expression of inability to describe something with words, (usually) being overwhelmed with some emotion (shock, surprise, fear). There's also another expression with a similar sense: (being) lost for words.

Here are examples from three different books:

My heart is so full, yet my words fail me.

Sometimes, however, words fail us as speakers and we find a picture truly is worth a thousand words.

I now realize most people scatter in times of true suffering, overwhelmed and awkward when words fail them as they attempt to console.

There's also a less idiomatic version: words fail (e. g. to describe something).

Related Topic