apparent failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apparent failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation that seems to be a failure, although the true nature of the failure may not be clear or confirmed. Example: "Despite the apparent failure of the project, the team learned valuable lessons that could be applied in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The apparent failure is not in fact a failure.

Harvard Business Review

The Soviet SS-6 system was an apparent failure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finally, both prized scientific community as a salve to the apparent failure of Enlightenment values.

Princeton University

And its subsequent apparent failure to reduce unemployment has only added more fuel to the fire.

University of California, Berkeley

His apparent failure to do so must be the cause of his cynicism about Rutgers students.

The New York Times

The apparent failure of the media during the presidential election has been multifaceted and fiercely debated.

The Guardian

Many women experienced shame for their apparent failure, and deferred loan management to their husbands.

The Guardian

Grabbing fewer headlines is the apparent failure of a Chinese Long March 4C rocket.

The Guardian

When its reception was lukewarm, screeds of newsprint were devoted to its apparent failure.

The Guardian

Undismayed later by the apparent failure of Miller's prophecy, Harmon retained the Adventist view.

Britannica

Several historians blamed these factors for the apparent failure to develop a "visual culture" in Wales.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "apparent failure", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether the failure is indeed real or merely an illusion. Provide clarifying details to avoid misleading the reader.

Common error

Avoid treating an "apparent failure" as a definitive failure. The word "apparent" suggests uncertainty, so maintain a tone of caution and avoid drawing premature conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apparent failure" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "apparent" modifies the noun "failure". It signifies a situation or outcome that, on the surface, seems to be a failure but may not actually be so upon closer examination. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apparent failure" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a situation that seems like a failure but may not actually be one. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears most commonly in news and media, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts. When writing, it's crucial to make clear if the failure is real or just an illusion. Instead of "apparent failure", one can use "seeming failure", "ostensible setback", or "superficial defeat". Remember to avoid treating an "apparent failure" as a definitive failure, as the term itself suggests uncertainty and calls for further investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeming failure

Focuses on the outward appearance of failure, suggesting a possible discrepancy between appearance and reality.

ostensible setback

Emphasizes the superficial nature of the setback, implying it might not be as significant as it looks.

superficial defeat

Highlights that the defeat is only on the surface and might not represent a true loss.

presumed malfunction

Suggests the failure is based on assumption rather than confirmed fact.

professed inadequacy

Points to a claimed or stated inadequacy, which may or may not be accurate.

outward deficiency

Indicates a lack or flaw that is visible externally but doesn't necessarily reflect the whole picture.

surface-level fault

Implies the fault is not deep or fundamental, suggesting a minor issue.

perceived shortcoming

Underscores that the failure is based on perception and may not be an objective reality.

assumed breakdown

Highlights the failure is predicated on an assumption which might not hold true.

seeming imperfection

Focuses on the idea that something appears imperfect, but perhaps not truly flawed.

FAQs

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

You can use "apparent failure" to describe situations that seem like a failure but might not be. For example, "Despite the "apparent failure" of the initial experiment, valuable data was collected."

What's the difference between "apparent failure" and "obvious failure"?

"Apparent failure" suggests that the failure is not necessarily confirmed or absolute, whereas "obvious failure" implies a clear and undeniable failure. The former leaves room for interpretation or future success.

What can I say instead of "apparent failure"?

You can use alternatives like "seeming failure", "ostensible setback", or "superficial defeat" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "apparent failure" in formal writing?

Yes, "apparent failure" is appropriate for formal writing as long as it accurately reflects the situation. It's crucial to ensure the tone remains objective and avoids definitive claims without sufficient evidence.