a looming failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a looming failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an impending or likely failure that is becoming increasingly apparent or unavoidable. Example: "Despite the team's efforts, there was a sense of a looming failure as the deadline approached and progress stalled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is specifically designed to ensure that a looming failure is handled expeditiously, with management removed and stockholders and creditors bearing the losses.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But Dr. Kavita Patel, a health-care-reform expert at the Brookings Institution, and a former policy advisor in the Obama Administration, told me, "If by the end of 2014 there are three million people enrolled, that would be a success". The politicians who are currently bemoaning the looming failure of Obamacare might consider doing more to help navigators like Jodi Ray make it work.

The New Yorker

Yet, with all that momentum, there's a vocal segment of software insiders that preach the looming failure of open source software against competition from proprietary software vendors.

TechCrunch

The looming failure is making many people here and abroad question the strategy of installing the transitional government by force.

The New York Times

The politicians who are currently bemoaning the looming failure of Obamacare might consider doing more to help navigators like Jodi Ray make it work.

The New Yorker

Now the advisory Committee on Climate Change says we are on track to miss legally binding targets, and that this looming failure is partly attributable to government.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bennett said the looming failure of the major parties in the election made it obvious that Britain's electoral system was inadequate to represent the choice voters desired.

The Guardian

Pressure mounted on Sinn Fein during the two-week period to produce a cooperative response from the I.R.A., and party leaders complained that they were being unfairly scapegoated for the looming failure.

The New York Times

The most shocking part of the Iceland debacle was how technically assured players like Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane became so gripped by the looming failure that they could barely trap or pass the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

WASHINGTON ― The White House desperately tried to spin the looming failure of the GOP health care bill Friday afternoon, insisting that if it went down, it wouldn't be the president's fault because he put "his all" into it.

HuffPost

In fact, it lays bare one of the fundamental injustices to workers' rights in the U.S., and a looming policy failure as the country struggles to care for a rapidly aging population.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a looming failure" to add a sense of urgency and inevitability to a situation, highlighting that the negative outcome is not only possible but also increasingly likely. It works best when you want to create tension or emphasize the seriousness of the current circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "a looming failure" in everyday, informal conversations. This phrase carries a weight of seriousness and formality, making it unsuitable for casual discussions about minor setbacks or inconveniences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a looming failure" functions as a noun phrase, where 'looming' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'failure'. It highlights the impending nature of the failure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a looming failure" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe an impending or likely failure, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and formal business settings. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency and inevitability, making it suitable for situations where you want to emphasize the seriousness of the circumstances. While versatile, it should be used judiciously and avoided in overly casual conversations where its formality might be misplaced. Alternatives like "an impending collapse" or "a brewing disaster" can offer subtle shifts in meaning, allowing for more precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an impending collapse

Replaces "failure" with "collapse", suggesting a more sudden and complete breakdown.

a developing catastrophe

Emphasizes the catastrophic nature of the impending event.

a brewing disaster

Uses "brewing disaster" instead of "looming failure" to imply a gradual build-up to a calamitous event.

an approaching downfall

Substitutes "failure" with "downfall", indicating a loss of power or status is imminent.

an onrushing crisis

Uses "onrushing crisis" to suggest a rapidly approaching critical situation.

a gathering storm

Employs a metaphorical expression to signify a threatening situation that is developing.

an escalating risk

Highlights the increasing danger associated with the situation.

a forthcoming setback

Replaces "failure" with "setback", downplaying the severity of the negative outcome.

a growing threat

Focuses on the threat aspect, indicating a potential danger that is increasing.

an emergent problem

Shifts the focus to the problem emerging, rather than the failure itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "a looming failure" to describe a situation where the possibility of failure is becoming increasingly apparent and unavoidable. For instance, "Despite the team's efforts, there was a sense of "a looming failure" as the deadline approached."

What are some alternatives to "a looming failure"?

Alternatives include "an impending collapse", "a brewing disaster", or "an approaching downfall", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a looming failure" formal or informal?

"A looming failure" is generally considered a more formal phrase, suitable for news reports, academic writing, or professional communications, but also found in general news and media contexts.

What makes "a looming failure" different from "a potential failure"?

"A potential failure" suggests a possibility that failure might occur, whereas "a looming failure" implies that the failure is increasingly likely and perhaps even unavoidable without significant intervention. The phrase ""a looming failure"" carries a greater sense of urgency and immediacy.