expects to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "expects to fail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's anticipation or belief that they will not succeed in a particular endeavor. Example: "Despite his efforts, he expects to fail the exam due to his lack of preparation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

By any interpretation I can think of, the Fed therefore expects to fail to honor its dual mandate of price stability and full employment.

The New York Times

And last week the Fed released its latest set of economic projections, showing that it expects to fail on both parts of its mandate, with inflation below target and unemployment far above target for years to come.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Taleb describes her books as exemplary black swans, succeeding when expected to fail and failing when expected to succeed.

The New York Times - Books

The Cubs were always expected to fail.

The New York Times - Sports

Thus the South African bid is expected to fail.

Independent

Who goes into a negotiation hoping and expecting to fail?

The Guardian

He was expected to fail a student for using commas incorrectly.

The Economist

A handful are expected to fail upcoming stress tests conducted by the European Central Bank.

The Economist

As a result, it is expected to fail within a year or two.

The Economist

In both high school and college, all too many students are expected to fail.

The New York Times

Indeed, one study estimates that up to 67% [pdf] of managers can be expected to fail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "expects to fail", clarify the reasons behind the expectation to provide context and avoid misunderstandings. E.g., "The project expects to fail because of insufficient funding and lack of skilled personnel."

Common error

Avoid using "expects to fail" when you need to inspire or motivate. It can undermine confidence and discourage effort. Instead, focus on challenges and opportunities for improvement, rather than predetermining failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expects to fail" functions as a verb phrase expressing anticipation of a negative outcome. It often connects a subject (person, entity) with their belief about a future failure, as Ludwig AI confirms and illustrates.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "expects to fail" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey the anticipation of a negative outcome. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and contextual utility. While not overly common, it finds its place in news, scientific discussions and everyday conversations where a pessimistic or realistic outlook is being expressed. When composing a sentence with the phrase, make sure to choose a semantically close alternative from Ludwig, such as "anticipates failure", in order to enhance your writing style, and to accurately reflect the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipates failure

Replaces the verb phrase with a single verb emphasizing the anticipation of a negative outcome.

predicts it will fail

Uses a more explicit prediction, emphasizing the likelihood of failure.

foresees a failure

Emphasizes the ability to see the failure in advance.

believes it will not succeed

Expresses a lack of belief in a successful outcome.

is resigned to failure

Indicates acceptance of an impending failure.

is prepared for failure

Highlights readiness for the possibility of not succeeding.

assumes it will be unsuccessful

Suggests a prior assumption about the lack of success.

concedes defeat in advance

Indicates giving up before the actual attempt.

lacks confidence in succeeding

Focuses on the absence of belief in a positive outcome.

has no hope of success

Emphasizes the complete absence of optimism.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "expects to fail" to sound more optimistic?

Instead of "expects to fail", try using phrases like "faces challenges", "has a low probability of success", or "requires significant improvement" to maintain a more positive tone.

Is it better to say "expects to fail" or "anticipates failure"?

Both "expects to fail" and "anticipates failure" are correct. "Expects to fail" is more conversational, while "anticipates failure" is more formal. Choose the phrase that best suits the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "expects to fail"?

It is appropriate to use "expects to fail" when presenting a realistic assessment of a situation where the likelihood of success is low, based on available evidence and analysis. For instance, "The company expects to fail if they do not secure additional funding."

What does it mean when someone "expects to fail"?

When someone "expects to fail", it means they believe or anticipate that they will not succeed in a particular endeavor. This expectation can be based on past experiences, current challenges, or a realistic assessment of the situation.