designed to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designed to fail" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that was intentionally created to not succeed. Example: The new company policy was designed to fail from the start, as it did not take into account the needs of the employees.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Either designed to fail and blaming us for it failing, [or] designed to force us potentially into a filibuster, which the Republicans have never done.

Los Angeles Times

So is Multiples designed to fail?

The Guardian - Books

"The AC-1 transaction was not designed to fail.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Zeh said the simulated attacks were "designed to fail".

The New York Times

The votes were all but designed to fail.

The New York Times

The place must have been designed to fail.

The New York Times - Food

"The ICE detention system is designed to fail detainees like Valery Joseph".

The New York Times

Tsipras must now implement a fiscal consolidation and reform programme that was designed to fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The problem with the program, however, was that the entire operation seems to have been designed to fail at the cost of thousands of lives.

Forbes

In any event, the systems should be designed to fail smoothly in the event of coordinated attacks across multiple sources.

Journal of Modern Transportation

A canary is designed to fail faster than the host system.

Microelectronics Reliability

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "designed to fail" when you want to emphasize the intentionality or inherent flaws that lead to an inevitable negative outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "designed to fail" when you simply mean something failed due to unforeseen circumstances; the phrase implies a deliberate, pre-planned outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designed to fail" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something was intentionally created or planned with the expectation of failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "designed to fail" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that implies something was intentionally created or planned to not succeed. It functions as a predicative adjective phrase, often expressing criticism or skepticism. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it is common in contexts such as news media, science, and business. When using this phrase, ensure you are emphasizing the intentionality or inherent flaws leading to a negative outcome, and avoid using it when failure is simply due to unforeseen circumstances. Consider alternatives such as "engineered for failure" or "doomed to failure" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engineered for failure

Focuses on the technical aspect of planning for failure.

built to collapse

Emphasizes the structural weakness and inevitable breakdown.

set up to fall apart

Highlights the pre-arranged nature of the failure.

doomed to failure

Implies a sense of inevitability and lack of hope.

destined for collapse

Suggests that failure is predetermined.

intended to collapse

Focuses on the intention behind the creation or planning.

predetermined to fail

Highlights the pre-planned aspect of the failure.

certain to fail

Emphasizes the high probability of failure.

fated to fall apart

Suggests a role of fate or destiny in the failure.

made to fall

Suggests external forces or manipulation causing failure.

FAQs

How can I use "designed to fail" in a sentence?

You can use "designed to fail" to describe a system, plan, or product that was intentionally created with flaws or weaknesses that would cause it to not succeed. For example: "The project was "designed to fail" from the beginning due to lack of funding".

What's the difference between "designed to fail" and "destined to fail"?

"Designed to fail" implies an intentional element, where something was created with the expectation of failure. "Destined to fail" suggests a preordained outcome, regardless of intent or planning.

Which is correct, "designed to fail" or "design to fail"?

"Designed to fail" is correct. "Design to fail" is missing the past participle form of the verb "design", making it grammatically incorrect in this context.

What can I say instead of "designed to fail"?

You can use alternatives like "engineered for failure", "built to collapse", or "doomed to failure", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.