are to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are to fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a predetermined outcome or expectation of failure in a specific context. Example: "If the project is not properly funded, it is clear that they are to fail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

8. Danny Crichton wrote about how traditional banks just don't speak the same consumer language as millennials, and that if they are to fail, it will be due to lack of innovation.

TechCrunch

Trees may stand tall and majestic and endure for centuries, but many are living on the edge: New research has shown that the more climate dries out a predicted consequence of global change in many places the more likely water transport systems of many trees are to fail.

Science Magazine

"The older they are with that kind of a flawed soldering, the more likely they are to fail," Montague, a former president of missile systems for Lockheed Corp., said in an interview.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To get left behind is to fail.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That would be to fail twice over.

The Economist

If we were to fail, that freedom could be imperilled.

The Guardian

Its first achievement was to fail to "get" the Internet.

The Economist

If it were to fail, politics would become very complicated.

Independent

The important thing is to fail forward.

Huffington Post

And if Save Hackney Wick were to fail in its effort?

Vice

To write is to fail, more or less, constantly".

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is key, consider alternatives like "are likely to fail" or "are destined to fail" to fine-tune the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "are to fail" can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "will fail" or "are going to fail" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are to fail" functions as a modal expression indicating a strong prediction or expectation of failure. It suggests that, based on current circumstances or inherent qualities, failure is highly probable or even predetermined. Ludwig AI examples show it being used to discuss potential shortcomings or unavoidable outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are to fail" is a grammatically correct and relatively common expression used to predict or suggest a high likelihood of failure. Ludwig AI indicates its suitability for expressing inevitable outcomes across various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific domains. While alternatives like "are likely to fail" or "are destined to fail" offer subtle variations in meaning and formality, "are to fail" serves as a versatile option for conveying a sense of impending or predetermined failure, remember to consider your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are destined to fail

Emphasizes a predetermined outcome; suggests that failure is inevitable.

are likely to fail

Indicates a high probability of failure, but not necessarily a certainty.

are bound to fail

Similar to 'destined', but implies a strong likelihood based on current circumstances.

are going to fail

A more informal way of expressing a future failure.

are sure to fail

Expresses confidence in the prediction of failure.

will inevitably fail

Highlights the unavoidable nature of the failure.

are doomed to fail

Suggests a negative fate or unfortunate circumstances leading to failure.

are certain to fail

Expresses a high degree of certainty regarding the failure.

are predisposed to fail

Indicates an inherent tendency or vulnerability toward failure.

are on track to fail

Highlights the current path leading towards an eventual failure.

FAQs

How can I use "are to fail" in a sentence?

Use "are to fail" to express a strong likelihood or prediction of failure, often due to specific circumstances. For example, "Without adequate resources, the project "is to fail"".

What can I say instead of "are to fail"?

You can use alternatives like "are destined to fail", "are likely to fail", or "are bound to fail" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "are to fail" or "will fail"?

"Are to fail" implies a stronger sense of predetermination or inevitability based on current conditions, while "will fail" is a more general prediction of future failure. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "are to fail" and "are going to fail"?

"Are to fail" often suggests a more formal or predetermined outcome, whereas "are going to fail" is a more common and informal way to express a future failure. The former carries a slightly more emphatic tone.