as a failsafe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a failsafe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a backup plan or measure that is intended to prevent failure or mitigate risks in a situation. Example: "We implemented a secondary power source as a failsafe to ensure that the system remains operational during outages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

AS A failsafe business plan it could hardly be bettered.

The Economist

Still, he also drafted a weaker bill as a failsafe.

The Guardian

(Each method acts as a failsafe: QR codes are sometimes unreadable, while NFC support is missing from Apple's line of iPhones).

The Economist

As well as acting as a failsafe to keep insecticides away from dragonflies and other insects, the grass is a habitat for wildlife in its own right".

The Guardian

They've spent a few years pushing the idea that Obama was really born in Kenya, not in Hawaii — and, as a failsafe, arguing that it doesn't matter where Obama was born, because he himself admits that his father wasn't an American citizen when he was born, and thus he isn't a "natural-born citizen," as the Constitution requires.

The New Yorker

Empirically, (beta) should be parameterized with relatively high values, establishing (overline{qe}(t)) as the main measure of "fit" and using (overline{lambda }(t)) as a failsafe mechanism.

Journal of Big Data

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

And we've tried to set up a system that is as failsafe as so far at least we've been able to think of to make sure that these programs are not abused.

The New York Times

These are 10 of the best: Recommended as a party failsafe by no less an authority than Ed Simons from the Chemical Brothers: the 1973 single by Barry White's backing musicians is lushly romantic, funky, popular and recognisable without being ubiquitous.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Tesla Model S and X's autosteering doesn't just succeed at removing the monotonous, at times frustrating, elements of highway driving, but also operates as a great failsafe, much like an airplane's autopilot.

TechCrunch

As tumors that undergo apoptosis in response to therapy fail to display a significant residual tumor mass, it is conceivable that damage aftermath, mainly senescence, occurs at much slower kinetics, serving as a "standby" failsafe program, in case the first-line response is corrupted (Schmitt, 2003).

Protein & Cell

As we require information regarding disease stage and other tumour attributes to select the cases a posteriori, we are planning to collect pilot data from at least 2,000 cases and twice that number of controls as a further failsafe measure.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a failsafe", clearly state what potential failure it is intended to prevent. This adds clarity and emphasizes the importance of the measure.

Common error

Avoid using "as a failsafe" as a substitute for thorough planning and risk assessment. A failsafe should complement, not replace, proactive measures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a failsafe" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It describes the purpose or intention behind an action, indicating that it serves as a backup or precautionary measure. Ludwig confirms this correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a failsafe" is a grammatically correct and useful expression to indicate a backup plan or precautionary measure. Ludwig confirms its correct usage. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and scientific writing. When employing "as a failsafe", clarity is key: specify what potential failure it addresses to maximize understanding. Remember that while it adds a layer of security, a "failsafe" should supplement thorough planning, not replace it. Alternatives like "as a contingency measure" or "as a backup plan" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a backup plan

Directly states the intention of having a secondary plan.

as a precaution

Highlights the preventative nature of the action.

as a safety net

Emphasizes the protective aspect of the failsafe.

as a safeguard

Focuses on protecting against potential harm or failure.

as a contingency measure

Replaces "failsafe" with a more formal term for a backup plan.

as a redundant system

Highlights the duplication of systems for reliability.

to ensure security

Expresses the purpose of guaranteeing safety and reliability.

for added security

Indicates an extra layer of protection.

as a last resort

Indicates that this is the final option if other measures fail.

as an insurance policy

Compares the failsafe to a form of guaranteeing against loss.

FAQs

How can I use "as a failsafe" in a sentence?

Use "as a failsafe" to describe a backup plan or measure designed to prevent failure, such as, "We installed a generator "as a failsafe" to ensure continuous power supply."

What are some alternatives to using "as a failsafe"?

You can use phrases like "as a backup plan", "as a precaution", or "as a contingency measure" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it redundant to say "failsafe mechanism"?

While "failsafe" inherently implies a mechanism, using "failsafe mechanism" can emphasize the systematic nature of the backup measure, though it may be perceived as slightly redundant.

What's the difference between "failsafe" and "fail-secure"?

"Failsafe" implies that the system reverts to a safe state, while "fail-secure" ensures that in case of failure, the system defaults to a secure mode, possibly disabling operations. They are not interchangeable; the correct choice depends on the context.