doomed to failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'doomed to failure' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation that is likely to fail, no matter how much effort is put in. For example, "His plan was doomed to failure from the start due to the lack of resources available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is doomed to failure.

The New York Times

And doomed to failure.

The Guardian - Opinion

But their battle is doomed to failure.

The Economist

It was doomed to failure.

The Guardian

But it's doomed to failure.

The Guardian

Cap-and-trade is doomed to failure.

Yale University

"But I expect they're doomed to failure.

The Guardian

Such a plan is doomed to failure.

The New York Times

It is an idyll doomed to failure.

The New York Times

It was a structure doomed to failure".

The Guardian

Which ultimately is doomed to failure anyway.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "doomed to failure" when you want to convey that external factors or inherent flaws make success impossible, regardless of effort.

Common error

Avoid using "doomed to failure" prematurely. If there's a possibility of altering the course, even if slim, a more nuanced phrase like "at risk of failure" or "facing significant challenges" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doomed to failure" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a noun (often a plan, project, or strategy) as certain to fail. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "doomed to failure" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a strong sense of inevitability regarding a negative outcome. As Ludwig AI points out, it's employed across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When using "doomed to failure", be mindful of its strong connotation of certainty; if there remains a possibility of success, albeit slim, consider softer alternatives like "at risk of failure" or "facing significant challenges". Phrases such as "certain to fail", "destined to collapse", and "sure to fall apart" offer subtle variations in meaning, allowing for more precise communication. Ultimately, "doomed to failure" is a powerful tool for expressing pessimism and conviction, but it should be wielded with awareness of its implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain to fail

Focuses on the certainty of failure, similar to "doomed", but with a more direct tone.

destined to collapse

Suggests an inevitable breakdown or ruin, implying a longer-term failure.

sure to fall apart

Emphasizes the disintegration aspect of failure, often used in interpersonal or structural contexts.

bound to be unsuccessful

Highlights the lack of success as a predetermined outcome.

headed for disaster

Indicates an impending catastrophe or failure with significant negative consequences.

fated to flop

Uses the word 'fated' to stress the role of destiny in the failure

preordained to lose

Preordained suggests a divine or higher power has determined the failure in advance.

ill-starred endeavor

Frames the attempt as unlucky or unfortunate from the beginning.

a lost cause

Highlights the futility of continuing effort, indicating no chance of success.

in vain

Focuses on the futility and uselessness of the effort involved.

FAQs

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

You can use "doomed to failure" to describe plans, projects, or strategies that are highly unlikely to succeed. For example, "Without adequate funding, the project was "doomed to failure"."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "doomed to failure"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "certain to fail", "destined to collapse", or "sure to fall apart", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "doomed to failure" and "at risk of failure"?

"Doomed to failure" implies a greater certainty of failure, suggesting that the outcome is virtually unavoidable. "At risk of failure" indicates a possibility of failure, but not necessarily an inevitability.

Is "doomed to fail" the same as "doomed to failure"?

Yes, "doomed to fail" and "doomed to failure" are essentially the same. While "doomed to fail" uses the verb directly, "doomed to failure" uses a noun. The choice often depends on stylistic preference and sentence structure.