a collective failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a collective failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group of people or entities has failed to achieve a goal or meet expectations together. Example: "The project's collapse was a clear indication of a collective failure among the team members to communicate effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"It always is a collective failure.

Independent

It's really a collective failure of European institutions".

The New York Times

Each schism, though rare, feels like a collective failure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said that it was published due to "a collective failure of editing".

The Guardian

"There was a collective failure to recognize the problem as it emerged," he said.

The New York Times

The International Crisis Group calls the food emergency "a collective failure of the international community".

The New Yorker

It was a collective failure to resist temptations that arise every day in their work.

The New Yorker

The failings of Libya, three and a half years on, are a collective failure.

The Guardian - Opinion

I regard it as a collective failure that we haven't changed attitudes".

The Guardian

Iraq was a collective failure of the political, diplomatic, intelligence and military establishments.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Allen remains frustrated at a collective failure to grasp the importance of early intervention.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a collective failure", clearly identify the group or entity that shares the responsibility for the failure to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a collective failure" as a vague accusation. Provide specific examples and evidence to support the claim of shared responsibility. Otherwise, it can sound like unsubstantiated criticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a collective failure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI illustrates, it identifies a situation where multiple parties share responsibility for an unsuccessful outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a collective failure" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote shared responsibility for an unsuccessful outcome. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it often appears in news and media contexts, as well as in formal business settings. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, the specific context can make it sound more critical or accusatory. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to identify clearly the group or entity involved and, ideally, provide evidence to support the claim of shared responsibility. Alternatives like "shared shortcoming" or "mutual failing" can provide slightly different shades of meaning. Overall, "a collective failure" is a useful phrase for describing situations where accountability is distributed among multiple parties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a shared shortcoming

Highlights that the failure is distributed among a group, focusing on the deficiency itself.

a mutual failing

Emphasizes the reciprocity of the failure, suggesting all parties contributed.

a group debacle

Uses a more dramatic term to describe a complete and embarrassing failure involving multiple people.

a collaborative blunder

Focuses on the element of error or mistake made jointly.

a joint responsibility lapse

Specifically points to a failure in fulfilling shared duties.

a team breakdown

Implies a failure in teamwork or coordination leading to the unsuccessful outcome.

a systemic deficiency

Shifts the blame to the system rather than individuals, indicating widespread issues.

an organizational collapse

Suggests a complete breakdown within an organization due to multiple failures.

a community letdown

Emphasizes the disappointment and failure experienced by a wider group or community.

a widespread inadequacy

Focuses on the lack of competence or sufficiency across a group or system.

FAQs

How can I use "a collective failure" in a sentence?

You can use "a collective failure" to describe a situation where a group or organization has failed to achieve a goal due to the combined actions or inactions of its members. For example: "The project's cancellation was "a collective failure" of the management team and the developers".

What's the difference between "a collective failure" and "an individual failure"?

"A collective failure" refers to a situation where multiple people or entities contribute to a failure. "An individual failure", on the other hand, attributes the failure to a single person's actions or decisions.

What can I say instead of "a collective failure"?

You can use alternatives like "shared shortcoming", "mutual failing", or "joint responsibility lapse" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a collective failure"?

Yes, describing something as "a collective failure" is generally negative, as it implies a lack of success and shared responsibility for an undesirable outcome.