cause to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

'cause to fail' is technically correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a verb phrase meaning "to cause something to fail or be unsuccessful." For example, "His poor decision-making caused the project to fail."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Due to the effect of aerodynamic loads acts in the wind turbine blades may cause to fail at unpredictably high an amount, which creates the wind turbine to make fatigue analysis as important factors in its performance.

Materials Today: Proceedings

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"A lot of computer systems," notes Porquet, "can be caused to fail in a predictable manner.

BBC

Those fantasies also cause us to fail to appreciate how extraordinary the Dalai Lama is.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ms. Bradley, 55, had severe sepsis, a blood infection that can cause organs to fail.

The New York Times

The actions did not in and of themselves cause Lehman to fail.

The New York Times

We hear over and over that incompetent teachers cause students to fail.

The New York Times

AIR TRAFFIC OFFICIALS grounded aircraft, fearing the silica-rich ash would cause engines to fail.

The New York Times

They warned that such dams might have sustained damage that could cause them to fail even weeks later.

The New York Times

Those mismatching operations cause communication to fail.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It looks for incompatibilities that often cause computers to fail.

Forbes

Consistently decreasing design freedom and major design revision requirements can cause projects to fail.

Ocean Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause to fail", ensure the sentence clearly identifies what is causing the failure and what is failing for maximum clarity. For example, instead of "Poor planning can cause to fail", write "Poor planning can cause the project to fail".

Common error

Avoid using "cause to fail" in overly general statements without specifying the subject and object. Vague sentences like "Mistakes cause to fail" lack clarity. Instead, specify what kind of mistakes and what specifically fails, such as "Repeated data entry mistakes cause the system to fail".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause to fail" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of making something unsuccessful. This construction is used to express causality, where a specific factor or event leads to a negative outcome, such as an object malfunctioning or a plan collapsing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause to fail" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of making something unsuccessful. While not particularly common, it is readily understandable and usable across various contexts, including science, news, and general writing. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is technically correct and usable in written English. To improve clarity, it is recommended to specify both the cause and the failing entity in sentences using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to failure

This alternative emphasizes the result of something leading to an unsuccessful outcome.

result in failure

Focuses on the direct consequence being failure.

bring about failure

This alternative highlights the act of causing failure.

contribute to failure

Indicates a contributing factor rather than the sole cause.

increase the likelihood of failure

Shifts the focus to probability.

undermine success

Focuses on diminishing the chances of success.

sabotage efforts

Highlights intentional disruption.

impede progress

Focuses on slowing down or halting advancement.

thwart ambitions

Emphasizes the prevention of achieving goals.

derail plans

Highlights the disruption of planned actions.

FAQs

How can I use "cause to fail" in a sentence?

You can use "cause to fail" to describe something that leads to an unsuccessful outcome. For example, "Lack of maintenance can "cause to fail" the equipment".

What are some alternatives to "cause to fail"?

Some alternatives include "lead to failure", "result in failure", or "bring about failure", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "cause to fail" and "caused to fail"?

"Cause to fail" is the infinitive form, while "caused to fail" is the past tense. Use "caused to fail" when describing something that has already happened.

What's the difference between "cause to fail" and "reasons to fail"?

"Cause to fail" describes the action of making something unsuccessful, while "reasons to fail" refers to the underlying factors or explanations for potential failure. They are related but address different aspects of failure.