a formula for failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a formula for failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a method or approach that is likely to lead to unsuccessful outcomes. Example: "If we continue to ignore customer feedback, we are creating a formula for failure in our business strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

That's a formula for failure.

The New York Times

It is a formula for failure.

The New York Times - Magazine

Add on the government intervention, insurance company obstructionism and soaring malpractice fees, and you have a formula for failure.

The New York Times

"It looks like he is trying to prove he can pitch like the American pitchers and, as I said, that would be a formula for failure".

The New York Times - Sports

Assurances from Hendrick helped Stewart make the decision to become a driver-owner, which had been a formula for failure for many others.

The New York Times - Sports

This is the fool's gold of Middle East diplomacy, not because the goal lacks both merit and importance, but because entering such talks prematurely is a formula for failure and failure is a formula for war.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

His program was a "formula for continued failure," said the American Guild of Musical Artists, which represents singers, dancers and production staff members.

The New York Times - Arts

IT sounds like a formula for business failure: Find an oversaturated market, gear your product to customers who do not want it and make it blander than the competition's.

The New York Times

Going on "a diet," while the rest of your family goes another way is a sure formula for failure.

Huffington Post

This is a formula for inadequacy and failure.

The New York Times

On gun control, the platform repeats the proven formula for failure through stronger enforcement of existing laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a formula for failure" to analyze past events or predict future outcomes, demonstrating foresight and analytical thinking.

Common error

Avoid using "a formula for failure" as a vague, unsupported claim. Always provide specific reasons and evidence to justify why a particular situation or approach is likely to fail. Otherwise, the statement loses credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a formula for failure" functions as a noun phrase that describes a situation, strategy, or set of conditions that are highly likely to result in an unsuccessful outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a formula for failure" effectively describes a set of conditions or actions that are highly likely to lead to an unsuccessful result. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in various contexts, especially in News & Media. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific context and evidence to support your assessment, avoiding vague claims. While alternatives like "a recipe for disaster" or "a surefire way to fail" offer similar meanings, "a formula for failure" maintains a more analytical and less emotionally charged tone. To summarize, use this phrase to emphasize a predictable, systematic path to failure based on identifiable factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A recipe for disaster

This alternative emphasizes the potential for severe negative consequences, akin to a failed recipe leading to a culinary disaster. It suggests a chaotic and unfavorable outcome.

A surefire way to fail

This alternative highlights the certainty of failure, indicating that the specified action or strategy will undoubtedly lead to an unsuccessful result.

A path to defeat

This alternative suggests a course of action that leads towards losing, typically in a competitive context. It implies a strategic disadvantage.

A guaranteed failure

This alternative underscores the inevitability of failure, indicating that there is virtually no chance of success.

A road to ruin

This alternative implies a gradual decline and eventual destruction or collapse as a consequence of following a certain course of action.

A blueprint for collapse

Similar to a formula, this alternative specifies a clear structure or plan that leads to an ultimate breakdown or disintegration.

A strategy for downfall

This alternative implies that a chosen method or plan will lead to a loss of power, status, or position.

An invitation to disaster

This suggests that certain actions create an environment in which negative outcomes are highly likely to occur.

A ticket to oblivion

This phrase suggests a one-way path towards being forgotten or completely ceasing to exist, implying a lack of lasting impact or relevance.

A highway to hell

This idiom is a dramatic way of saying that a particular course of action will lead to very bad consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "a formula for failure" in a sentence?

You can use "a formula for failure" to describe a set of actions or conditions that are likely to lead to an unsuccessful result. For example, "Ignoring customer feedback is "a formula for failure" in any business."

What are some alternatives to "a formula for failure"?

Alternatives include "a recipe for disaster", "a surefire way to fail", or "a path to defeat", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a formula for failure" in formal writing?

Yes, "a formula for failure" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when analyzing strategies or predicting outcomes. However, ensure your analysis is well-supported with evidence.

What makes something "a formula for failure" instead of just a possible risk?

Calling something "a formula for failure" implies a high degree of certainty that the actions or conditions in question will inevitably lead to an unsuccessful outcome. It suggests a systematic, almost predictable progression toward failure, rather than a mere possibility of risk.