conspicuous failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conspicuous failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a failure that is obvious or easily noticeable, often in a context where the expectations were high. Example: "The project was a conspicuous failure, as it did not meet any of the outlined objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

This, too, was a conspicuous failure.

The New York Times

For more than a year, the Eighth Air Force was a conspicuous failure.

The New York Times - Books

The Styles section quickly became the subject of jokes — and Arthur's first conspicuous failure.

The New Yorker

Its conspicuous failure to catch one of the world's most wanted men stirs their pride.

The New York Times

It would have been a much more conspicuous failure had it been left in the White House".

The New York Times

Yet in many quarters — here, in Iraq, and around the world — there has been a conspicuous failure to feel good.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Heseltine's achievements have been matched by conspicuous failures, but his self belief is almost thrillingly impregnable, making him quite impervious to any such impression.

The Guardian

Stephan succinctly shows why federally funded academic research generally probes "safe" questions, limiting the odds of both conspicuous failures and dramatic breakthroughs.

Science Magazine

Which might be irritating given certain conspicuous failures, but they've got the numbers.

Vice

One of the most conspicuous failures of the 113th Congress has been the Republican House's refusal to even discuss long-overdue immigration reform, despite the Senate's painstaking work in crafting a comprehensive bill.

Huffington Post

Efforts to urge other nations to adhere to the rule of law will be undermined by the conspicuous American failure to achieve elemental fairness in the administration of its own laws.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conspicuous failure" when you want to emphasize that a failure is not only present but also easily noticeable or prominent. This phrase adds a layer of emphasis compared to simply saying "failure".

Common error

While "conspicuous failure" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "obvious failure" or "clear failure" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conspicuous failure" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "conspicuous" modifies the noun "failure". According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. This phrase is typically used to describe an instance where a lack of success is glaringly obvious.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Books

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conspicuous failure" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a failure that is easily noticeable or prominent. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Book contexts. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of the tone, as it can sound overly formal in casual settings. Consider alternatives like "blatant failure" or "obvious failure" for less formal contexts. This phrase serves to highlight not just that something failed, but that the failure was remarkably evident.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

blatant failure

Replaces "conspicuous" with "blatant", emphasizing the obvious and undeniable nature of the failure.

obvious failure

Uses "obvious" instead of "conspicuous", indicating a readily apparent lack of success.

evident failure

Employs "evident" to highlight the clear and easily perceived nature of the failure.

marked failure

Substitutes "conspicuous" with "marked", suggesting a failure that is distinctive and noticeable.

notable failure

Replaces "conspicuous" with "notable", indicating a failure that is worthy of attention.

flagrant failure

Uses "flagrant" to describe a failure that is shockingly obvious and unacceptable.

patent failure

Replaces "conspicuous" with "patent", emphasizing that the failure is clear and unmistakable.

clear failure

A more straightforward alternative, using "clear" to indicate an easily recognized failure.

striking failure

Uses "striking" to describe a failure that grabs attention due to its magnitude or impact.

remarkable failure

Indicates the failure is noteworthy because of its unexpected or unusual nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "conspicuous failure" to describe situations where the lack of success is easily noticeable. For example, "The marketing campaign was a "conspicuous failure", resulting in a significant loss of revenue."

What can I say instead of "conspicuous failure"?

You can use alternatives like "blatant failure", "obvious failure", or "evident failure" depending on the specific context.

Is "conspicuous success" the opposite of "conspicuous failure"?

Yes, "conspicuous success" is often considered the opposite of "conspicuous failure". It refers to a success that is highly visible and easily recognized.

What is the difference between "conspicuous failure" and "failure"?

The term ""conspicuous failure"" emphasizes that the failure is easily noticeable or prominent. Simply using "failure" lacks this emphasis on visibility.