a clear failure of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear failure of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has not succeeded in a noticeable or obvious way. Example: "The project was deemed a clear failure of management, leading to significant financial losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In a separate interview on Sky News, Whittingdale said: "Both these incidents reflect a clear failure of management within the BBC".

The Guardian

Contacted about the contents of the report, Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the IPCC, said: "This is a clear failure of the system.

The Guardian

Detroit is a clear failure of leadership rather than a failure of localism: It needs to be seen in the wider context of the failures of other economies and countries at the national level.

The Guardian

There is a "clear failure" of NHS clinical commissioning groups to provide for children with mental-health issues.

BBC

Despite a clear failure of industrialization alone to provide for lower classes, this misunderstanding persisted.

Huffington Post

This Turkish attack represents a clear failure of Donald Trump's foreign policy.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Partiality in granting a temporary restraining order (TRO) in favor of former president Arroyo and her husband in order to give them an opportunity to escape prosecution and to frustrate the ends of justice, and in distorting the supreme court decision on the effectiveness of the TRO in view of a clear failure to comply with the conditions of the Supreme Court's own TRO.

HuffPost

The Electoral Commission said the party was guilty of a "clear failure" to keep accurate financial records for 2008, adding that it was "frustrating" that it could not impose a penalty on the party because the law at the time did not allow it.

The Guardian

Over many months, Fox lulled its conservative base with agitprop: that President Obama was a clear failure, that a majority of Americans saw Mr. Romney as a good alternative in hard times, and that polls showing otherwise were politically motivated and not to be believed.

The New York Times

Mali's military capitalized on the instability that is inherent in any fragmented state, but the ease with which it was able to sweep into power is a concern, as it represents the clear failure of a structural foundation to support the country's nascent democracy.

Huffington Post

The visibility of heroin as a white problem and the clear failure of current approaches is starting to cause politicians to rethink.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a clear failure of", ensure that the context provides specific details or evidence to support the assertion. Avoid making vague or unsubstantiated claims.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear failure of" when the failure is already implied by the surrounding context. Redundancy weakens your writing. Instead, focus on the consequences or implications of the failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear failure of" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies and characterizes a specific instance or area where something has not succeeded, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear failure of" is a noun phrase used to express a distinct lack of success or a notable breakdown. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, though it carries a judgmental tone. It appears most frequently in news and media and scientific sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the context provides sufficient evidence to support your assertion. Consider more neutral alternatives in formal writing to avoid sounding overly accusatory. Also it's important to remember that "clear failure of" indicates that the failure is quite obvious and known, Ludwig confirms this from its analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an obvious deficiency in

Replaces 'failure' with 'deficiency' and 'clear' with 'obvious', focusing on a lack or shortage in something.

a distinct lack of

Emphasizes the absence of something, replacing 'failure' with 'lack'.

a manifest breakdown of

Substitutes 'failure' with 'breakdown' and 'clear' with 'manifest', highlighting a collapse or cessation.

a patent inadequacy of

Replaces 'failure' with 'inadequacy' and 'clear' with 'patent', stressing something is insufficient or not good enough.

a glaring instance of

Focuses on a specific occurrence that is obviously wrong or bad.

an evident shortcoming in

Highlights a fault or weakness, replacing 'failure' with 'shortcoming'.

a conspicuous absence of

Similar to 'distinct lack of', but emphasizes that the absence is very noticeable.

a demonstrable fault in

Highlights that a fault can be shown or proven, shifting the focus to evidence.

a marked inability to

Focuses on the lack of capacity or skill to do something.

an egregious dereliction of

Replaces "failure" with "dereliction", making a judgement of negligence. "Egregious" emphasizes the exceptional badness of it.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear failure of" in a sentence?

Use "a clear failure of" to describe a situation where something demonstrably did not succeed. For example, "The project's cancellation was a clear failure of planning."

What are some alternatives to "a clear failure of"?

You can use alternatives like "an obvious deficiency in", "a distinct lack of", or "a manifest breakdown of" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a clear failure of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a clear failure of" can sound accusatory. In formal writing, consider using a more neutral phrase like "a significant shortfall in" or "areas for improvement", especially when addressing sensitive topics.

What's the difference between "a clear failure of" and "a failure of"?

Adding "clear" emphasizes the obvious or undeniable nature of the failure. "A failure of" simply acknowledges that something did not succeed, without necessarily implying that it was obvious or easily recognized.