an ongoing failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ongoing failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or process that continues to fail over time without resolution. Example: "The project has been plagued by an ongoing failure to meet deadlines, causing frustration among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The increase in tenants, meanwhile, has been driven by escalating house prices, stagnating wages, an ongoing failure to build enough social housing, and for many people, the impossibility of amassing enough money for a deposit for a mortgage.

The Guardian - Money

Action for Children says child neglect is an ongoing failure to provide the right care and attention to a child's needs, ranging from obvious physical signs such as being severely under or over weight to being ignored when distressed.

BBC

It defines child neglect as "an ongoing failure to provide the right care and attention to a child's needs, ranging from obvious physical signs such as being severely under or over weight to being ignored when distressed.

BBC

We do not see it as a significant limitation since 1) the annotation of new fragments is normally far less urgent task than resolving an ongoing failure and can hardly interrupt the normal operation of the system, and 2) the annotation effort can be distributed among multiple partners (each provider annotates its fragments).

Journal of Internet Services and Applications

I understand the unfortunate distinction being made by their parsing of terms, and that distinction continues to strike me as the result of an ongoing failure -- theirs, ours and mine.

Huffington Post

There has been an ongoing failure to embed senior clinical nurse roles in ways that ensure they are a recognised and predictable part of the national workforce.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He said the decision was a reaction to the "ongoing failure to help resolve the various allegations" that started last year with disclosures about widespread US espionage in Germany and culminated in two new spying cases over the past week.

Independent

Binniger said: "The government has asked the representative of the US intelligence agencies in Germany to leave the country as a reaction to the ongoing failure to help resolve the various allegations, starting with the NSA and up to the latest incidents".

The Guardian

She was always something of a scapegoat, but that even she is now on her way out after doing paltry time is a testament to the ongoing failure of the American legal system to mete out proportional punishment for white-collar crime.

Vice

When the fantasy dissipates, all he can do is bury his head in another Krays biography and, with a heavy heart, bemoan England's ongoing failure to be cast as itself in a biopic of England.

Vice

Meir's failures shaped the current contours of Israeli politics: a dominant, West Bank-obsessed Likud reliant on a Sephardic base, and a fading Ashkenazic Labor Party baffled by its ongoing failure to get Israelis to listen to it anymore.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "persistent shortcoming" or "recurring setback" to avoid repetition and add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "an ongoing failure" without clearly defining what is failing. Vague references can weaken your argument. Instead, specify the area or system experiencing the failure to provide a clearer understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ongoing failure" functions as a noun phrase, where "ongoing" modifies "failure". It identifies a state of continuous lack of success, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig. It usually acts as a subject or object in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ongoing failure" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a persistent lack of success or a continuous problem. Ludwig's analysis indicates that while grammatically correct, its frequency is uncommon. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure to specify what is failing to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "persistent shortcoming" or "recurring setback" can provide a more nuanced description. Overall, the phrase is suitable for professional and neutral communications, emphasizing the need for improvement or change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a persistent shortcoming

Emphasizes the repeated nature of the deficiency.

a continuing deficiency

Highlights the uninterrupted aspect of the inadequacy.

a recurring setback

Focuses on repeated hindrances or obstacles.

a chronic problem

Suggests a long-lasting and difficult-to-resolve issue.

a sustained inadequacy

Emphasizes the prolonged nature of the insufficient state.

a perpetual deficiency

Highlights the never-ending nature of the lack.

an unremitting flaw

Stresses the continuous and unrelenting nature of the imperfection.

a constant lack

Focuses on the continuous absence of something needed.

a regular breakdown

Highlights the repeated failures in a system or process.

a consistent underperformance

Focuses on the repeated failure to meet expected standards.

FAQs

How can I use "an ongoing failure" in a sentence?

You can use "an ongoing failure" to describe a situation or process that repeatedly fails or does not achieve the desired outcome. For example: "The project suffered from "an ongoing failure" to meet deadlines".

What are some alternatives to "an ongoing failure"?

Alternatives include "a persistent shortcoming", "a recurring setback", or "a chronic problem", depending on the specific context.

Is "ongoing failure" formal or informal?

"Ongoing failure" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the surrounding language should match the intended tone. In more formal settings, consider alternatives like "persistent deficiency".

What does "an ongoing failure" imply?

"An ongoing failure" suggests a repeated or continuous lack of success in a particular area. It highlights that the problem is not isolated but persistent and unresolved.