crop failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"crop failure" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to an agricultural situation in which a farmer's crops don't produce a successful harvest due to unfavorable weather, pests, disease, or other causes. For example: Due to severe drought, many farmers in the Midwest experienced crop failure in 2019.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Vandalizing the atmosphere with greenhouse gases: heat, drought, crop failure.

The New Yorker

These were the conditions that turned crop failure into famine.

The Washington Post

Those who lived through it believe that it was simply the result of crop failure.

The New York Times

In geography, you might be looking at earthquakes, floods, crop failure.

The Guardian

In Karamoja, we are recording the fourth consecutive crop failure since 2006," he said.

The Guardian

Is crop failure the only thing that will cause people to take this decline seriously?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But — a farmer has a crop failure, it's a big deal".

The New York Times

The change in climate gave rise to exceptional rainstorms and crop failure across the world.

The Guardian - Music

60% of Syria's land was affected, and 75% of farmers suffered total crop failure.

The Guardian

"If I have a crop failure, I still eat, I still get paid.

The New York Times

But a global crop failure of this magnitude can be avoided.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of climate change on agriculture, use "crop failure" to specifically describe instances where crops do not produce a viable harvest due to weather-related events.

Common error

Avoid using "crop failure" as a general term for all agricultural problems. Be specific about the causes, such as drought, pests, or disease, to provide a clearer understanding of the issue.

Linguistic Context

"Crop failure" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a specific event or condition where crops do not yield a successful harvest. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

6%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crop failure" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to the unsuccessful production of crops. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English and is prevalent across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. It's crucial to use the term accurately, specifying the causes when possible, and to be aware of alternative phrases like "harvest shortfall" or "agricultural loss" for nuanced communication. Understanding its causes and consequences is vital for addressing food security challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed crop

Highlights that the crop did not succeed in producing a viable harvest.

harvest shortfall

Focuses on the deficiency in the expected amount of crops gathered.

agricultural loss

A more general term indicating any kind of loss in the agricultural sector.

yield reduction

Emphasizes the decrease in the amount of crops produced.

poor harvest

Describes the quality of the harvest as being subpar or inadequate.

agricultural devastation

Emphasizes the destructive impact of a widespread crop failure on farming communities.

food scarcity

Focuses on the consequence of crop failure, leading to a lack of available food.

farming disaster

Highlights the catastrophic impact of crop failure on the agricultural industry.

production deficit

Indicates a shortfall in the amount of crops produced compared to what is needed or expected.

reduced agricultural output

A more formal way of describing a decrease in the amount of crops produced.

FAQs

What are the primary causes of "crop failure"?

Common causes include drought, excessive rainfall, pests, diseases, soil degradation, and lack of proper agricultural practices. Climate change exacerbates these issues, leading to more frequent and severe instances of "crop failure".

What can I say instead of "crop failure"?

You can use alternatives like "harvest shortfall", "agricultural loss", or "yield reduction" depending on the context.

How does "crop failure" impact food security?

"Crop failure" directly reduces the amount of available food, leading to food scarcity, increased prices, and potential malnutrition, especially in regions heavily reliant on local agriculture.

What measures can be taken to prevent "crop failure"?

Strategies include implementing drought-resistant crops, improving irrigation systems, practicing crop rotation, using integrated pest management, and adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques.