cause failure

USAGE SUMMARY

'cause failure' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an abbreviated form of the phrase "cause failure." You can use it in the same way you would use the phrase "cause failure," typically when you are indicating that something has caused another thing to fail. For example, "Lack of funds 'cause failure in project planning."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In this paper, common cause failure analysis methods are reviewed.

Structural Safety

Methanogenic inhibition can cause failure of anaerobic waste(water) treatment.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

Modeling includes common cause failure and diagnostic coverage.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

But what are the kinds of mistakes that can cause failure?

Stanford University

Extrapolation of laboratory results suggested that fatigue may cause failure in field hydrodynamic conditions as well.

Stanford University

Typical compressive strengths (the stress required to cause failure under compression) are given in the Table.

Britannica

Uncertainty, inherent in most real-world domains, can cause failure of apparently sound classical plans.

Artificial Intelligence

Small cracks form in steel and then grow to cause failure.

International Journal of Fatigue

Shear banding is found to cause failure, resembling the deformation of metallic glasses.

Acta Materialia

Propagation of a crack in engineering materials including rocks can cause failure.

Engineering Geology

Sometimes these rapid transient may cause failure of the unit and decouple it from the system.

Renewable Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause failure", ensure the subject clearly identifies the entity or action responsible for the failure. For example: "Poor maintenance can "cause failure" of critical equipment."

Common error

Avoid using "cause failure" with an ambiguous subject. Instead of saying "This can cause failure", specify what "this" refers to, for example, "High temperatures can "cause failure" of the engine."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause failure" functions as a verb phrase, where "cause" is the verb and "failure" is the noun acting as the direct object. It describes the action of leading to a state of failure. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

Academia

19%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cause failure" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote that something leads to a breakdown or malfunction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts. Analysis of the provided examples reveals its prevalence in scientific, academic, and news-related sources, suggesting a neutral register. When writing, ensuring a clear subject and avoiding vague references will enhance clarity. Related phrases like "lead to breakdown" or "result in malfunction" can offer stylistic alternatives. The consistent presence of "cause failure" across diverse domains underscores its importance in effectively conveying causal relationships leading to negative outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to breakdown

Focuses on the process leading to a state of being broken or non-functional.

induce breakdown

Similar to "lead to breakdown", but with a sense of active causation.

result in malfunction

Emphasizes the outcome of a process being a faulty function.

trigger collapse

Implies a sudden and complete loss of structure or function.

generate fault

Highlights the creation or origination of a fault or error.

precipitate disaster

Suggests hastening a catastrophic event.

create a defect

Focuses on the generation of a specific imperfection or flaw.

be responsible for the failure

Places blame or accountability on a specific entity.

undermine success

Implies a gradual weakening of the conditions necessary for success.

contribute to downfall

Signifies playing a role in a decline or ruin.

FAQs

How can I use "cause failure" in a sentence?

Use "cause failure" to indicate that something leads to a breakdown or malfunction. For example, "Neglecting safety protocols can "cause failure" of the entire operation."

What are some alternatives to "cause failure"?

You can use alternatives like "lead to breakdown", "result in malfunction", or "trigger collapse", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "cause failure" or "caused failure"?

"Cause failure" is an infinitive phrase, while "caused failure" is past tense. Choose the correct tense based on your sentence. "Poor design can "cause failure"" (potential), while "The storm "caused failure" of the dam" (past event).

What's the difference between "cause failure" and "reason failure"?

"Cause failure" describes something that directly leads to a failure, while "reason failure" describes the explanation or rationale behind a failure. "The faulty wiring "caused failure"", while "The "reason failure" was not immediately apparent".