deliberate failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"deliberate failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone intentionally avoided success. For example, "The company was accused of deliberate failure when it refused to launch its new product despite having the resources to do so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Hot Mess: Deliberate Failure as Practice.

Stanford University

Aposiopesis, (Greek: "becoming silent"), a speaker's deliberate failure to complete a sentence.

Britannica

The first reflects lack of teaching and experience, the second a more subtle, deliberate failure to know what ought to be known.

The Guardian - Books

Ordinarily, however, recessions do not have such a direct and immediate link to the actions (or the deliberate failure to act) by Washington policymakers.

The New York Times

Because of this perhaps deliberate failure to explain to the reader where he really stood, Albo has often been dismissed as an eclectic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We think that the information contained in the report was sufficiently important that the deliberate failure to provide it could properly be characterised as a 'cover-up'," consultants from Grant Thornton have concluded.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The racial and gender composition of the pool of working directors, showrunners, writers and executive producers suggests real and deliberate failures to recruit new voices and new perspectives.

The Washington Post

The crash on Saturday, the Environment Support Group said in a statement, was "no accident, but a direct result of the series of deliberate failures of officials and key decision makers".

The New York Times

The real story, however, is what our national political elites have done for those at the top, both through their actions and through their deliberate failures to act". This story is told in Parts Two and Three: How did money-power acquire the politics it needs?

HuffPost

Calculated Failure Deliberate compromising of car safety for other attributes, whether visual appeal or cost reduction, is the centerpiece of Unsafe at Any Speed, which launched Ralph Nader's rise to prominence.

Huffington Post

That judge's reading of the matter is that a deliberate Congressional failure to legislate either way on enforced disabling of security/encryption might well be being exploited to enable government agencies to compel tech companies to do their bidding — i.e. without politicians having to win the public case for making a specific law for this.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. While sometimes used in academic settings to describe research design, "deliberate failure" frequently appears in discussions of ethical breaches or strategic maneuvers. Choose your words carefully to ensure accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "deliberate failure" when unintentional mistakes or oversights are the primary cause of failure. "Deliberate failure" suggests a conscious and calculated choice, whereas negligence implies a lack of due care.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberate failure" functions as a noun phrase, where "deliberate" modifies the noun "failure". It describes a specific type of failure characterized by intent. Ludwig examples show it describing a course of action or inaction designed to bring about a negative outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "deliberate failure" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe an intentional lack of success. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests a carefully considered decision to fail, distinguishing it from accidental errors or negligence. Predominantly found in news and academic contexts, this phrase carries a negative connotation, often used to criticize or assign blame. Alternatives like "intentional failing" or "strategic non-performance" can provide nuanced shades of meaning. When writing, use "deliberate failure" to convey strong disapproval or highlight unethical conduct, always ensuring the context aligns with the intended message and avoiding confusion with negligence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentional failing

Emphasizes the intent behind the failure.

purposeful breakdown

Highlights the planned or designed aspect of the failure.

strategic non-performance

Focuses on the calculated aspect of not fulfilling expectations.

willful neglect

Indicates a conscious decision to ignore or disregard something, leading to failure.

calculated incompetence

Suggests a deliberate display of lack of skill or knowledge.

planned deficiency

Highlights the intentional creation or acceptance of a shortcoming.

conscious sabotage

Implies an awareness and intention to undermine or destroy.

orchestrated downfall

Conveys the idea of a carefully arranged or manipulated collapse.

designed malfunction

Focuses on the failure resulting from a pre-designed flaw.

voluntary omission

Suggests failure resulting from intentionally leaving something out.

FAQs

How can "deliberate failure" be used in a sentence?

You can use "deliberate failure" to describe a situation where someone intentionally causes something to fail. For example, "The lawsuit alleges "deliberate failure" to provide necessary safety equipment."

What are some alternatives to "deliberate failure"?

Alternatives include "intentional failing", "purposeful breakdown", or "strategic non-performance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "deliberate failure" the same as "negligence"?

No, "deliberate failure" implies a conscious choice to cause failure, while negligence suggests a lack of due care that leads to failure unintentionally. They are not interchangeable.

Can "deliberate failure" be a legitimate strategy?

In some contexts, yes. For example, in art or performance, "deliberate failure" can be used to challenge conventional norms. However, in most practical or ethical situations, it indicates wrongdoing or mismanagement.