cannot be failed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot be failed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express that something is guaranteed to succeed or cannot be unsuccessful. Example: "In this course, every student is given the support they need, so they cannot be failed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Again, it's a test that, by design, cannot be failed.

MIT Technology Review

The score system is identical as the song could be played alone, but songs cannot be failed in this mode.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As such, educational reform cannot fail; it can only be failed.

The New York Times

For example, a volume is deleted successfully then a VM creation is failed, we cannot roll back because the volume is already deleted.

Journal of Cloud Computing

If the winner cannot be contacted, fails to respond or provide an address or is unable to comply with these terms and conditions, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant.

Vice

These mutants cannot be acetylated, fail to interact with sororin, and do not mediate cohesion.

Current Biology

If the commission fails to recommend a country, it cannot be overruled.Greece will fail by a wide margin to satisfy the criteria.

The Economist

It cannot be allowed to fail.

The New York Times

The search for weapons of mass destruction cannot be allowed to fail.

The Guardian

Dealer banks are so important to the financial system that they cannot be allowed to fail.

The Economist

I recently learned that report card grades for gym cannot be pass/ fail -- they must be actual grades, according to state statute.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be failed" when you want to emphasize the inherent guarantee of success, particularly in situations where failure is theoretically possible but practically impossible due to design or support.

Common error

While "cannot be failed" is grammatically sound, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider active constructions like "cannot fail" or "is guaranteed to succeed" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be failed" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject is incapable of failing. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and usable. Examples in Ludwig show it used in contexts where success is assured.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be failed" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to emphasize the inevitability of success. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's relatively rare and can sometimes sound awkward compared to active alternatives like "cannot fail" or "is guaranteed to succeed". It appears across various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions, with a generally neutral register. When using this phrase, consider whether an active voice construction might provide a more direct and impactful statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot fail

A more direct and active way of saying the same thing, simply stating the impossibility of failure.

is incapable of failing

Highlights the inherent inability to fail, focusing on the lack of capacity for a negative outcome.

is guaranteed to succeed

Emphasizes the certainty of success, replacing the passive voice with a more active construction.

is certain to succeed

Similar to "is guaranteed to succeed", but uses 'certain' to highlight the inevitability of a positive outcome.

is bound to succeed

Implies a natural or predetermined course toward success, suggesting it's unavoidable.

is sure to succeed

Conveys confidence in a successful outcome, replacing the negative framing with a positive assertion.

has no chance of failure

Shifts the focus to the absence of any possibility of failure, emphasizing the security of success.

is destined for success

Suggests that success is predetermined and inevitable, often implying a higher power or fate.

is foolproof

Indicates that something is so well-designed or simple that it's impossible to go wrong.

is a surefire win

Uses a more informal and emphatic tone to declare the certainty of victory or success.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cannot be failed" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "is guaranteed to succeed", "is certain to succeed", or "cannot fail" depending on the context.

Is "cannot be failed" formal or informal?

The phrase "cannot be failed" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common to use active constructions such as "cannot fail" in informal settings.

What does it mean when something "cannot be failed"?

When something "cannot be failed", it means that it is designed or set up in such a way that failure is impossible. It suggests a guaranteed success due to the structure or support provided.

Are there situations where "cannot be failed" might be inappropriate?

While grammatically correct, using "cannot be failed" might sound awkward or overly passive in certain situations. Consider if an active voice alternative like "is guaranteed to succeed" or "is sure to succeed" would be more effective.