failure of reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failure of reality" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where expectations do not align with actual circumstances, often in a philosophical or critical context. Example: "The film explores the failure of reality, highlighting how characters struggle to cope with their disillusionment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Once again, however, when you get up close, when you examine the almost obsessive detail, there is an almost unbearable emotional intensity – one that acknowledges the inescapable liaison between desire and disappointment, the inevitable failure of reality to fulfil our overheated consumerism-enhanced dreams.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, as Boyer [31], [45] points out, the failure of reality testing cannot explain the specific character of religious beliefs.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But as Shields' story shows, attaining success as a black American is often challenged by both the repetitious rhetoric of failure and the reality of racial disparity.

Huffington Post

As Russell puts it, the assumption that every denoting phrase must refer to an existing entity was the type of assumption that exhibited "a failure of that feeling for reality which ought to be preserved even in the most abstract studies" (1919a, 165).

SEP

6. Augmented Reality Despite the failure of Google Glass, the concept of augmented reality eyewear is practical enough to survive.

Huffington Post

Then came the sharp bite of reality: embarrassing immaturity, failure, even humiliation, in the mid-2000s.

The Guardian - Sport

Frank Rich rightly excoriates "the news media's failure to provide a persuasive dose of reality as an antidote to Washington fairy tales," but overlooks the difficulty of doing so when politicians don't do their part.

The New York Times

The messages that popular culture sends us about success and failure -- as communicated through the unreality of "reality" TV -- are particularly destructive.

Huffington Post

Fear of failure is a reality; because trying something new means you could fail.

Huffington Post

The aching joints, the creaking backs, the stench of failure — this is reality, this is a future we all face, but who on earth goes clubbing to confront the deeply depressing facets of life that we can barely bring ourselves to think about during our regular waking hours, let alone at 4am in a room full of people in varying states of disrepair?

Vice

The result was widespread failure and an abandonment of the genre in favour of reality television.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failure of reality", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes 'reality' in that specific situation. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "failure of reality" as a blanket statement for any undesirable outcome. Instead, specify the aspect of reality that has failed to meet expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failure of reality" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a state or condition where expectations, perceptions, or systems do not align with actual circumstances. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in contexts involving consumerism, religious beliefs, and politics.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failure of reality" describes a disconnect between expectations and what actually occurs, often leading to disappointment or disillusionment. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability, though its frequency is rare. Analysis reveals its prevalent use in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, with a neutral register. When employing "failure of reality", ensure the context clarifies the 'reality' being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "collapse of reality" or "absence of reality" depending on the nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collapse of reality

Replaces "failure" with "collapse", suggesting a more sudden and complete breakdown.

absence of reality

Substitutes "failure" with "absence", implying a lack of realism rather than a breakdown.

loss of reality

Uses "loss" instead of "failure", suggesting something that was once present is now gone.

erosion of reality

Replaces "failure" with "erosion", highlighting a gradual decline or weakening of realism.

breakdown of reality

Uses "breakdown" instead of "failure", emphasizing a structural collapse of what is considered real.

distortion of reality

Substitutes "failure" with "distortion", implying that reality is twisted or misrepresented.

rupture of reality

Replaces "failure" with "rupture", conveying a forceful and sudden break from what is real.

disconnection from reality

Uses "disconnection" instead of "failure", suggesting a separation or detachment from the real world.

unraveling of reality

Substitutes "failure" with "unraveling", implying a gradual process of disintegration.

decline of realism

Replaces "failure of reality" with a focus on the "decline of realism", emphasizing the diminishing presence of realistic perspectives.

FAQs

How can I use "failure of reality" in a sentence?

You can use "failure of reality" to describe situations where expectations are not met, or when there's a significant disconnect between perception and actual circumstances. For example: "The economic crisis highlighted the "failure of reality" in many financial models".

What is a good alternative for "failure of reality"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "collapse of reality", "absence of reality", or "loss of reality" can be used.

Is "failure of reality" a formal or informal phrase?

"Failure of reality" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for analytical or critical contexts. It's less common in everyday conversation.

What does "failure of reality" typically refer to?

"Failure of reality" typically refers to the disappointment or disillusionment that occurs when actual circumstances do not align with expectations, hopes, or ideals. It can also refer to a more fundamental breakdown in shared understandings or perceptions.