bound to failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"bound to failure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation that is likely to fail and can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, "Given the current state of the economy, many small businesses are bound to failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This is not to say that every deradicalization process and program is bound to failure.

The Washington Post

Not only did this interpretation claim to provide an overall understanding of what Ockham was up to, but it also inevitably led to conclude that his whole nominalist program was bound to failure.

SEP

The point is, if you were not smart enough like Bill Gates or as persistent enough as Colonel Sanders (man went through a succession of failed careers- lawyer, lamp salesman, life insurance salesman- before settling as a restaurateur), your business would have been bound to failure.

HuffPost

Gurtner et al. tried to stably overexpress NF-YA in cells, an experiment bound to failure, including in our hands.

Cell Death and Disease

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

On the road to achieving our goals, we are bound to experience failures, setbacks, and challenge.

University of California, Berkeley

There are bound to be failures along the way.

Forbes

Naturally, the stories of how Dudamel is going to have his ups and downs are already appearing, anticipating that he is bound to have failures.

Huffington Post

It was bound to be a failure from the start because of the cast list.

The Guardian

He was indeed a 'sodomite' (in the ugly, pejorative language of the time), and pretending to be otherwise to defeat his enemy was bound to end in failure.

The Guardian - Books

If he absents himself, if he is going to wait for a political consensus to form on its own — unaided, unprodded, unmediated — then the trip is bound to be a failure, a historical blip.

The New Yorker

A British officer said he was often asked: "Why do we always make our attacks in winter when any fool can see they're bound to be a failure?" That's war: senseless to the last.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bound to failure", ensure the context clearly indicates the reasons or conditions contributing to the likely failure. This adds depth and credibility to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "bound to failure" when the situation involves manageable risks or potential for change. Instead, opt for phrases that suggest a higher probability of failure without completely eliminating the possibility of success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound to failure" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a very high probability, approaching certainty, that the subject will experience failure. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bound to failure" is a phrase used to express a strong conviction that something is very likely to fail. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in diverse contexts, though it's crucial to avoid overstating inevitability. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science and Academia and has semantically related alternatives such as "destined to fail" or "sure to fail". When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates the reasons for the likely failure to enhance the impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destined to fail

Emphasizes predetermination and inevitability in reaching a state of failure.

sure to fail

Highlights the certainty of failure, suggesting a very high probability.

doomed to failure

Implies a sense of fate or misfortune leading to an inevitable negative outcome.

certain to collapse

Focuses on the structural or systemic breakdown leading to failure.

guaranteed to fall apart

Highlights the high level of assurance that something will break or become non-functional.

set up for disappointment

Emphasizes the situation's predisposition toward causing letdown or frustration.

headed for disaster

Implies a trajectory towards a calamitous conclusion or severe negative impact.

programmed to flop

Suggests inherent qualities or design flaws that ensure an unsuccessful outcome.

designed to underperform

Specifically indicates a built-in limitation or intentional setting for substandard results.

poised for a setback

Focuses on the imminent occurrence of a reverse or obstacle.

FAQs

How can I use "bound to failure" in a sentence?

Use "bound to failure" to describe scenarios where circumstances strongly suggest an unsuccessful outcome. For example: "A project lacking proper funding is bound to failure."

What are some alternatives to "bound to failure"?

You can use alternatives like "destined to fail", "sure to fail", or "doomed to failure" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "bound to failure" a formal or informal expression?

"Bound to failure" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, ensure that the tone of your writing aligns with the overall formality of the piece.

What is the difference between "bound to fail" and "likely to fail"?

"Bound to fail" suggests a higher degree of certainty than "likely to fail". "Likely to fail" indicates a strong possibility, while "bound to fail" implies inevitability unless significant changes occur.