核心问题
（1）He failed to pass the examination.
(2) He failed in the examination.
(3) He failed the examination.
上面三个句子都是正确的吗？
词典解答
上面三个句子都是正确的。在一般情况下，fail 是个不及物动词，但是，当它作“(考试)不及格”解时，则可用作及物动词，如上面的句(3)。
下面是上面三种用法的一些实例：
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He failed to pass the test. (LDCE) 他没有考及格。
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How could you fail in such an easy test? (LDPV) 这样容易的测验,你怎么会不及格呢?
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He had originally intended to become a mathematician, but after failing in calculus, he decided...to turn to history. (MWDEU) 起初他想当数学家, 但是在他微积分没有考及格之后……决定转而学历史。
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He failed two examinations... (WBD) 他两次考试都不及格……
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I passed the written part but failed the oral section. (EED) 书面考试部分我考及格了，但口头考试部分我没有考及格。