before failing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before failing" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate something that happened or will happen prior to a failure or unsuccessful attempt. Example: I made sure to refill the gas tank before failing to reach the next gas station.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pierce, however, did make 4 of 4 free throws before failing in the final second.

The New York Times - Sports

It is proposed that lack of perfect orientation and presence of carbonaceous material between bundles greatly enhances the stress transfer, thus increasing the load the fibre can carry before failing by shear.

Carbon

Since contesting - and losing - the 2004 final to then host nation Tunisia, Morocco's Nations Cup record has been one of major disappointment - suffering group stage exits in both 2006 and 2008, before failing to qualify for the 2010 finals altogether.

BBC

Their marriage produced two daughters before failing.

The New York Times - Books

Mentions several obscure shows which went through numerous title changes before failing.

The New Yorker

Modern hard disks can suffer from low performance before failing completely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mentions several obscure shows which went through numerous title changes before failing..

The New Yorker

Baron cleared its trades through the Bear Stearns Securities Corporation before failing in 1996.

The New York Times

Still, he passed one exam before failing the second by a few points.

The New York Times - Health

That was the case with Northern Rock, a British bank that grew explosively before failing in 2007.

The Economist

Rivera is the closer for the Yankees, the pitcher who finished three straight World Series championships before failing last month.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "before failing", ensure the context clearly indicates what action was taken or what state existed leading up to the failure, this makes the sentence more informative.

Common error

Avoid using "before failing" in overly passive constructions. Actively specify who or what is doing the failing to make your writing clearer and more engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before failing" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause by indicating the temporal relationship of an action or state preceding an instance of failure. As seen in Ludwig, the phrase commonly specifies a preceding action or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "before failing" is a versatile prepositional phrase that provides valuable temporal context, signaling the events leading to a failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in journalistic and scientific writing. When employing this phrase, strive for clarity by specifying the acting agent and avoiding excessive passivity. Consider alternatives like "prior to failure" for increased formality, and always ensure the surrounding context offers sufficient detail to clarify the intended meaning. The phrase serves to clearly connect a previous state or action to a subsequent failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior to failure

Formal alternative emphasizing the temporal sequence leading to failure.

leading up to the failure

Emphasizes the events or actions immediately preceding the failure.

ahead of the failure

Highlights the position in time relative to the occurrence of failure.

before the unsuccessful attempt

Replaces "failing" with a more descriptive and formal alternative.

in advance of failing

Stresses acting or occurring earlier than the failing.

in anticipation of failing

Focuses on the expectation or prediction of a potential failure.

preceding the moment of failure

Emphasizes the temporal sequence in a more elaborate manner.

previous to the failure

A more formal and less common synonym.

sooner than failing

Indicates acting or occurring earlier than the anticipated failing.

until the point of failure

Highlights the terminal state reached.

FAQs

How can I use "before failing" in a sentence?

Use "before failing" to describe actions or conditions that occurred leading up to a failure. For example, "He checked the tires "before failing" the inspection."

What are some alternatives to "before failing"?

Alternatives include "prior to failure", "ahead of the failure", or "leading up to the failure", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "before failing" or "before failure"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "before failing" often implies an ongoing process or attempt that culminates in failure, while "before failure" refers to a state or time preceding the event of failing.

How does the context influence the use of "before failing"?

The context dictates the specific meaning. In technical contexts, it might refer to material stress tests. In personal contexts, it might reference relationship dynamics "before failing". Always ensure the surrounding text provides sufficient information for clarity.