doomed to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

'doomed to fail' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It usually means that something is destined to not be successful and is often used when referring to a plan, project, or endeavor. For example, "His campaign for class president was doomed to fail from the start because he didn't have a clear platform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Such attempts are doomed to fail".

The Economist

Why was the supercommittee doomed to fail?

The New York Times

Copenhagen was doomed to fail.

The Guardian

"It is doomed to fail".

The New York Times

This is doomed to fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

In short, it was doomed to fail.

The Guardian

The grand conspiracy was doomed to fail.

The New York Times - Books

This move was doomed to fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

The show is almost doomed to fail".

The Guardian

In practical terms it's doomed to fail.

The Guardian

Otherwise, any reconciliation is doomed to fail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "doomed to fail", consider the context. It carries a strong connotation, so ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing. It is appropriate in serious or critical analyses but may be too dramatic for casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "doomed to fail" in situations where the outcome is uncertain or only slightly negative. Its strong connotation can create unnecessary drama or appear overly pessimistic, when a more moderate phrase like "likely to struggle" or "facing challenges" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doomed to fail" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It describes a noun (usually a plan, project, or endeavor) as being certain to fail. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, emphasizing the futility of certain actions or situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "doomed to fail" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express the strong belief that something is inevitably going to be unsuccessful. According to Ludwig, its examples and analysis highlight its neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for news, academic, and business contexts. While versatile, it is important to note its strong connotation and consider whether a milder phrase would be more appropriate, given its potential to create unnecessary drama in neutral situations. This phrase should be used when there is a high degree of certainty regarding a negative outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destined for failure

Emphasizes a predetermined outcome of failure, similar to a fate.

certain to fail

Highlights the high probability and assurance of failure.

bound to collapse

Suggests an inevitable breakdown or disintegration, implying a structural weakness.

sure to falter

Indicates a likely loss of strength or momentum, leading to failure.

fated to flop

Uses a more informal term "flop" to denote failure, implying a significant lack of success.

headed for disaster

Focuses on the disastrous consequences of the impending failure.

in a losing battle

Implies a struggle against overwhelming odds, making failure highly probable.

cannot succeed

Directly states the impossibility of achieving success.

failure is inevitable

Highlights the unavoidable nature of the failure.

a lost cause

Describes something that is no longer worth trying to save or make successful.

FAQs

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

You can use "doomed to fail" to describe a plan, project, or strategy that is very likely to be unsuccessful. For example, "Without sufficient funding, the project was "doomed to fail" from the beginning."

What are some alternatives to "doomed to fail"?

Some alternatives include "destined for failure", "certain to fail", or "bound to collapse". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it too strong to say something is "doomed to fail"?

The phrase "doomed to fail" is quite strong and implies a high degree of certainty about a negative outcome. Consider your audience and the context; if there's any reasonable chance of success, a milder expression might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "doomed to fail" and "likely to fail"?

"Doomed to fail" suggests an inevitable outcome, regardless of efforts made. "Likely to fail" indicates a high probability of failure, but still leaves room for potential success with significant intervention or change.