cannot fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express certainty that something will succeed or be effective. Example: "With our team's expertise and dedication, this project cannot fail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He cannot fail.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We cannot fail their trust; we cannot fail to try".

The New York Times

Israel cannot fail to cooperate.

The New York Times

This cannot fail to impress.

The Guardian

We cannot fail the Army or America.

The New York Times

The market for a cure cannot fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

He has told her she cannot fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

We cannot fail each other, and we cannot fail the men and women that we lead".

The New York Times

They have to be ready, and we cannot fail.

The New York Times - Health

* Checked asprintf variants are now void functions and cannot fail.

Stanford University

"That's when I felt like we cannot fail.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot fail" to convey a strong sense of confidence or inevitability. It's particularly effective when you want to assure someone of a positive outcome, as it implies a lack of any possibility of failure.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot fail" when the situation is not truly certain. Using it loosely can undermine your credibility if the outcome is genuinely in doubt. Instead, opt for phrases that express strong possibility or high probability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot fail" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a strong degree of certainty about a future outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that the examples show it is used to assert the impossibility of failure in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot fail" is a modal verb phrase used to convey a strong sense of certainty and inevitability. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and very commonly used, appearing primarily in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific discourse. While it's versatile, overusing "cannot fail" in uncertain scenarios can undermine your credibility. Consider alternatives like "is certain to succeed" or "is guaranteed to work" to express similar ideas with varying degrees of emphasis. Use "cannot fail" judiciously to reinforce confidence and assurance, especially when the likelihood of success is exceptionally high.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is impossible to go wrong

Emphasizes that there is no way that something can go wrong, making the outcome assured.

will definitely succeed

Uses "definitely" to reinforce the certainty of success, offering a more emphatic tone.

is certain to succeed

Emphasizes the certainty of a successful outcome, replacing the negative construction with a positive assertion.

is sure to work out

Implies a positive resolution or favorable conclusion, suitable for less formal or optimistic contexts.

is guaranteed to work

Highlights the assurance that something will function as intended, changing the focus from failure to guaranteed success.

is sure to be effective

Highlights the effectiveness of an action or strategy, emphasizing its positive impact.

is bound to happen

Focuses on the inevitability of an event, shifting the perspective from preventing failure to accepting occurrence.

is destined for success

Implies a preordained outcome of success, adding a sense of fate or destiny.

will undoubtedly prevail

Conveys the certainty of overcoming obstacles and achieving victory, suitable for contexts involving competition or challenges.

is poised to triumph

Suggests that everything is in place for a successful outcome, focusing on the readiness for victory.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot fail" in a sentence?

Use "cannot fail" to express a very high degree of confidence that something will succeed. For instance, "With such strong support, the project "cannot fail"."

What are some alternatives to "cannot fail"?

Alternatives include "is certain to succeed", "is guaranteed to work", or "will definitely succeed" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "cannot fail" or "will not fail"?

"Cannot fail" implies a stronger sense of certainty and inevitability than "will not fail". "Will not fail" simply states that something will not experience failure, while "cannot fail" suggests that failure is impossible.

When should I avoid using the phrase "cannot fail"?

Avoid using "cannot fail" in situations where there is a genuine possibility of failure or when you want to express a conditional or uncertain outcome. Overusing this phrase can make you sound overly confident or unrealistic.