could fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a form of the modal verb "could" and the verb "fail", indicating the possibility or potential for something to not succeed. Example: "Despite our best efforts, the project could fail if we don't secure enough funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It could fail.

The New York Times

Who could fail to?

The New York Times - Arts

Politics could fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

These, too, could fail.

The New York Times

Of course, it all could fail.

The New York Times

Williams and Johnson could fail to click.

The New York Times - Sports

"I think the amendment could fail, though.

The New York Times

"I was scared that this could fail, that I could fail," he told Q.

The Guardian - Music

I asked him how anyone could fail to know.

The New Yorker

If that reaches the brake booster it could fail.

The New York Times

Only an idiot could fail to see that he's right.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "could fail" when discussing possibilities and potential outcomes, especially when suggesting that failure is a realistic concern. Be specific about why something "could fail" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "could fail" without providing context or reasons. State why something "could fail" to make your writing more informative and persuasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could fail" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a possibility or a potential outcome. It indicates that a certain event or action has the potential to not succeed. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could fail" is a common and grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to express the possibility of failure. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use. It is employed across various contexts, from News & Media to Science, indicating its versatility. The phrase serves to communicate risk, uncertainty, or potential negative outcomes. While interchangeable alternatives like "might not succeed" exist, "could fail" remains a straightforward and effective way to highlight the potential for something not to work out. When using "could fail", ensure to provide sufficient context to enhance clarity and persuasiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might not succeed

Replaces "could fail" with a slightly more formal tone, focusing on the lack of success.

may prove unsuccessful

Emphasizes the potential for a negative outcome, using a more formal and definitive tone.

risk unsuccessful

Highlights the risk of not succeeding, focusing on the potential downside.

face the possibility of failure

Draws attention to the possibility of not meeting the objective.

is susceptible to failure

Emphasizes the vulnerability and potential for the failure to occur.

is liable to break down

Focuses on a system or process ceasing to function correctly.

is at risk of collapsing

Emphasizes a complete and sudden failure, especially in structural or organizational contexts.

might come to naught

Indicates that efforts or plans may be wasted or unproductive.

has the potential to go wrong

Focuses on the possibility of negative outcomes or unexpected problems.

runs the danger of flopping

Implies that something is highly likely to be a failure.

FAQs

How can I use "could fail" in a sentence?

Use "could fail" to indicate a possibility of failure. For example, "The project "could fail" if funding is not secured".

What are some alternatives to saying "could fail"?

Alternatives include "might not succeed", "may prove unsuccessful", or "risk unsuccessful" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "could fail" or "can fail"?

"Could fail" expresses a possibility, while "can fail" implies an ability to fail or a general characteristic. "Could fail" is typically more appropriate when discussing potential future outcomes.

What's the difference between "could fail" and "might fail"?

"Could fail" and "might fail" are often interchangeable, both expressing possibility. However, "might" sometimes suggests a slightly lower probability than "could".