cause of failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause of failure" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to talk about the source of something not succeeding. For example: "The cause of failure for the new product launch was poor marketing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't overwater; rot is the most common cause of failure.

The New York Times

Such cracks may become the cause of failure.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Wear remains an important cause of failure in knee replacement.

Journal of Biomechanics

Another significant cause of failure is component malrotation.

The Knee

The main cause of failure was bearing dislocation.

The Knee

The truth is probably that there was no one single cause of failure.

The Guardian

· Keep a clear head, to identify the exact cause of failure.

The Guardian

Treating an innovation project as just an "event" is the most common cause of failure.

Harvard Business Review

"The larger cause of failure is almost unmentionable: shrunken student motivation," wrote Samuelson.

The New York Times

But maybe van Marwijk, in a single word, nailed the cause of failure.

The New York Times - Sports

Foreign object damage is a significant cause of failure in gas turbine engines.

International Journal of Fatigue

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing a "cause of failure", be specific. Instead of saying 'poor planning', specify what aspects of the planning were inadequate.

Common error

Avoid attributing failure to a single cause. Often, multiple factors contribute. Investigate interconnected issues to gain a holistic understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause of failure" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the origin or reason behind an unsuccessful outcome. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause of failure" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to identify the reasons behind an unsuccessful event or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across academic, scientific, and news contexts, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When using the phrase, specificity is key to providing meaningful analysis. Related phrases such as "reason for the setback" or "root of the problem" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Be sure to consider multiple contributing factors rather than attributing failure to a single cause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for the setback

Focuses on the event that didn't go as planned by using "setback".

root of the problem

Emphasizes the fundamental or underlying issue leading to the failure.

source of the error

Highlights the origin or starting point of a mistake that resulted in failure.

origin of the defect

Refers to the beginning or initial state of an imperfection that led to failure.

genesis of the fault

Highlights the creation or emergence of a flaw that resulted in failure; more formal.

determinant of the collapse

Emphasizes the factor that definitively caused a sudden breakdown or failure; more formal.

underlying reason for the defeat

Focuses on the less obvious or fundamental reason behind a loss or failure.

primary factor in the downfall

Stresses the main element contributing to a decline or failure; more dramatic.

culprit behind the fiasco

Identifies the responsible agent or factor in a complete failure; more informal.

the why of its failing

This is a shorter, more colloquial way of asking the same question.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause of failure" to identify the reason why something didn't succeed. For example: "The primary "cause of failure" was a lack of funding."

What are some alternatives to "cause of failure"?

Alternatives include "reason for the setback", "root of the problem", or "source of the error", depending on the specific context.

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

While similar, "cause of failure" often implies a more direct and impactful factor, whereas "reason for failure" can encompass a broader range of contributing factors.

Is it better to use "cause of failure" or "causes of failure"?

Use "cause of failure" when referring to a single, primary reason. Use "causes of failure" when multiple factors contributed to the unsuccessful outcome.