be bound to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be bound to fail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong likelihood or inevitability of failure in a given situation. Example: "Without proper planning and resources, the project is bound to fail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If one attempted to build a very large uranium sphere, one would be bound to fail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

McClatchy quoted Hammond saying: "Any military intervention which was not preceded by a political initiative to create an inclusive government, a government which is credible with the Sunni community in Iraq, would be bound to fail".

The Guardian

It would also suggest that NBC's strategy of not dealing with Apple may be bound to fail.

TechCrunch

It is therefore possible to infer that greater occipital nerve injections are a valid therapeutic approach even in refractory headache patients who would normally be bound to fail normal preventives [23]; patients should also be informed that side effects are not to be considered as a marker of poor outcome.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It is bound to fail.

The Economist

The referendum is bound to fail.

The Economist

Rieff believes they are bound to fail.

The New York Times - Books

It is bound to fail eventually.

The New York Times

The technology is bound to fail on the day anyway.

The Guardian

And besides, trip itineraries are bound to fail.

The New York Times

Everything I try with you lot is bound to fail.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be bound to fail" to express a strong conviction that something will inevitably fail due to inherent flaws or unfavorable conditions. For a slightly weaker prediction, consider alternatives like "likely to fail".

Common error

While "be bound to fail" is a strong phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or overly dramatic. Vary your language by using synonyms or rephrasing to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be bound to fail" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a strong prediction or conviction about the inevitability of failure. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and common occurrence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be bound to fail" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a strong belief that something is destined to fail. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is widespread across various domains, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While it's a powerful way to express conviction, remember to diversify your language to avoid repetition. Consider alternatives such as "be destined to fail" or "be certain to fail" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be destined to fail

Emphasizes fate or predetermination more strongly than the original phrase.

be doomed to fail

Implies a negative judgment or ill omen associated with the failure.

be certain to fail

Highlights the lack of doubt or uncertainty about the failure.

be sure to fail

Similar to "be certain to fail", but slightly less emphatic.

be guaranteed to fail

Suggests a promise or assurance that failure will occur.

be set to fail

Indicates that the conditions are already in place for failure.

be likely to fail

Expresses a high probability of failure, but without the sense of inevitability.

be expected to fail

Suggests that failure is anticipated or predicted by others.

be on track to fail

Indicates a current trajectory leading towards failure.

be heading for disaster

Uses more figurative language to describe the impending failure.

FAQs

How can I use "be bound to fail" in a sentence?

You can use "be bound to fail" to express a strong conviction that something will inevitably fail. For example: "Without sufficient resources, the project is bound to fail".

What are some alternatives to "be bound to fail"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be destined to fail", "be doomed to fail", or "be certain to fail", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is "be bound to fail" formal or informal?

"Be bound to fail" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though the specific context may favor one alternative over another. News articles, academic papers and casual conversations can all contain this phrase.

What's the difference between "be likely to fail" and "be bound to fail"?

"Be likely to fail" expresses a high probability of failure, whereas "be bound to fail" implies a stronger sense of inevitability or certainty.