continuous failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"continuous failure" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you are referring to something that continues happening without success. For example, "His continuous failure to meet deadlines has caused major disruption throughout the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The entire handling of my situation was a continuous failure on the part of the governor's spokesmen.

The New York Times

If two significant performance failures are identified consecutively this is considered a "continuous failure" and warrants an even higher penalty.

The Guardian

Compare his swift departure to the resistance on the part of every senior Bush Administration figure amid continuous failure and malfeasance.

The New Yorker

More over often the continuous failure time data generated from a complex system poses more derivational problem than that of a discrete version of the underlying continuous one.

Journal of Statistical Distributions and Applications

Factors of safety relate to global stability failure (i.e. development of a continuous failure surface) and not local failure that can lead to loss of integrity.

Geotextiles and Geomembranes

Two typical failure modes, the beam-end continuous failure and the beam-end interrupted failure, have been studied in the literature.

Engineering Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Six months of continuous failures entitle the department to terminate the contract.

The Guardian

The pre-allocated backup resources cannot provide 100% protection guarantee when continuous failures occur in a network.

Optical Fiber Technology

As Watanabe experienced continuous failures in the beet molasses fermentation technology, Taosheng Chen decided to contribute his ideas confidently in refining the fermentation technology of beet molasses.

Protein & Cell

In the face of continuous failures by the state and economic elites to resuscitate the 'boom-crisis' economy of Las Vegas and Macao, it took non-state actors with intricate 'webs of significance' to state and criminal actors to govern the development of a society under limited statehood; transforming the lands into celebrated casino-cities.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

After 16 years of near-continuous failures, Peñarol would go on to win the cup, for their fourth time, in 1982 after beating the 1981 finalists in consecutive series.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "continuous failure" with more specific language if possible. For example, instead of "the project experienced continuous failure", try "the project consistently failed to meet deadlines and budget targets".

Common error

While "continuous failure" is grammatically correct, overuse in formal contexts can make writing sound repetitive or simplistic. Opt for synonyms like "persistent setbacks" or "chronic underperformance" to add variety and sophistication to your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continuous failure" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state or condition of ongoing lack of success. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently found in various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

62%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "continuous failure" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to describe an ongoing lack of success. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage across diverse domains, predominantly in science and media. When writing, consider the impact of emphasizing the persistent nature of the issue and opt for synonyms in more formal contexts to avoid repetition. Keep in mind that while acceptable in most registers, being mindful of context is key for impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

repeated setbacks

Replaces "failure" with a synonym emphasizing multiple instances of failure.

unending string of failures

Emphasizes the persistent nature of the failures.

constant defeats

Substitutes "failure" with "defeats", implying a struggle or competition.

perpetual lack of success

Uses a more formal tone to convey the absence of positive outcomes.

incessant problems

Shifts the focus from failure to the problems causing it.

chronic underachievement

Highlights a consistent pattern of not meeting expectations.

steady decline

Implies a gradual worsening or deterioration.

nonstop mistakes

Replaces failure with "mistakes", suggesting errors in judgment or execution.

relentless inadequacy

Emphasizes the feeling of not being good enough over a sustained period.

unremitting lack of progress

Focuses on the absence of advancement or improvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "continuous failure" to describe something that repeatedly doesn't succeed. For example, "The company's "continuous failure" to innovate led to its eventual decline."

What are some alternatives to "continuous failure"?

Some alternatives include "repeated setbacks", "unending string of failures", or "chronic underachievement", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "continuous failures" or "continuous failure"?

"Continuous failure" emphasizes an ongoing state or pattern, while "continuous failures" highlights multiple, distinct instances. The choice depends on whether you want to stress the ongoing nature or the individual occurrences.

What's the difference between "continuous failure" and "consistent failure"?

"Continuous failure" implies an unbroken string of unsuccessful events, while "consistent failure" suggests a reliable pattern of not succeeding. The emphasis shifts slightly from the timing to the reliability of the lack of success.