a series of failures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a series of failures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe multiple unsuccessful attempts or outcomes in a particular context, such as a project or a process. Example: "After a series of failures, the team finally found a solution that worked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The central problem arises from a series of failures that began after the tsunami.

The New York Times

Yet his tenure was defined by a series of failures in Europe.

The Guardian - Sport

"A series of failures, particularly in analytic trade craft, led to the mischaracterization of intelligence".

The New York Times

A "series of failures in the management of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS)" was identified.

The Guardian

A series of failures, particularly in analytic trade craft, led to the mischaracterization of the intelligence.

The New York Times

A "series of failures in the management of the NIPS" was identified.

The Guardian

To them, life is a series of failures, and every future opportunity is a chance to [mess] up.

Independent

An official inquiry uncovered a series of failures in the Bank of England's systems of supervision and communication.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brown turned 70 in September, and his coaching successes have been overshadowed by a series of failures and contentious exits.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"A male director can have a series of failures and still get hired," Anne Hathaway said to me last summer when I interviewed her and Meyers for a story about their movie, "The Intern".

Los Angeles Times

For public companies, raising money is difficult because their stock prices have been driven down, in part by a series of failures in clinical trials of drugs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a series of failures", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes a failure in that situation. Be specific about the events or actions considered unsuccessful.

Common error

Avoid using "a series of failures" without providing specific examples or context. This can lead to vagueness and weaken the impact of your statement. Always follow up with details to support your claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a series of failures" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig AI states, it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a series of failures" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe multiple unsuccessful attempts or outcomes. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is widely used and understood across various contexts. Its frequency is high, particularly in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. When employing this phrase, it's beneficial to provide specific examples to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity. Alternative phrases like "a string of setbacks" or "a chain of errors" can offer subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a string of setbacks

Emphasizes obstacles and delays rather than complete failure.

a succession of defeats

Highlights a sequence of losses or overcomings.

a chain of errors

Focuses on mistakes that led to negative consequences.

a catalog of mishaps

Suggests a collection of unfortunate events, often with a hint of randomness.

a trail of blunders

Highlights a path marked by significant and often avoidable mistakes.

a history of flops

Refers to a record of unsuccessful projects or events.

an array of downfalls

Implies a structured or significant collection of negative outcomes.

a pattern of losses

Shows a recurrent tendency toward unfavorable results.

a cycle of setbacks

Indicates a recurring series of difficulties or reversals.

a litany of woes

Suggests a long and mournful list of troubles.

FAQs

What does "a series of failures" mean?

The phrase "a series of failures" refers to multiple unsuccessful attempts or outcomes, suggesting a pattern of not achieving desired results.

How can I use "a series of failures" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a sequence of unsuccessful events, such as: "The project was abandoned after "a series of failures" to meet deadlines."

What are some alternatives to "a series of failures"?

Alternatives include "a string of setbacks", "a succession of defeats", or "a chain of errors", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a series of failures" or "some failures"?

"A series of failures" implies a more significant and continuous pattern of unsuccessful attempts compared to "some failures", which is less emphatic.