fallible

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "fallible" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone or something is capable of making mistakes. Example: Even the smartest of us are fallible; we all make mistakes from time to time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Given the financial system's fallibility, regulation is bound to be fallible too.

The Economist

That said, it was the Norwich defence that undermined them here, with both centre-halves and the goalkeeper, John Ruddy, fallible.

The Guardian - Sport

The former hope that monetary policy can prop up the economy while they attempt to reduce budget deficits; the latter tend to buy equities as soon as they think central bankers are easing.But it is worth remembering that central bankers are fallible.

The Economist

The banter bristles, even if their efforts are fallible.

The Economist

Eventually neutral umpires were brought in to eliminate the issue of home bias.But the naked eye is still fallible.

The Economist

Its constitution rests on the notion that the people in charge are fallible.

The Economist

Juries are occasionally perverse, frequently fallible and invariably slow.

The Economist

But, he answers, setting any scientific agenda involves fallible choices about priorities and money.

The Economist

I'm sure many of you will disagree, but my broader point is that no matter how precise our weaponry gets, no matter how much information we feed into our targeting systems, the decision to fire will always be based on incomplete information and come down to fallible human judgment.

The Economist

It seems that even diligent and well-intentioned risk managers are fallible.

The Economist

But sadly, as the crisis has brutally shown, regulators are fallible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing systems or processes, use "fallible" to acknowledge the potential for human error and to advocate for safeguards. For example, 'Given that human judgment is "fallible", incorporating automated checks into the system is essential'.

Common error

Avoid using "fallible" to justify negligence. Acknowledging that something is "fallible" does not excuse a lack of due diligence or the failure to implement reasonable precautions.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "fallible" primarily functions to describe a noun as being capable of making mistakes or being wrong. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "fallible" describes something or someone capable of making mistakes. According to Ludwig, this term is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. With numerous examples from reputable sources like The Economist and The Guardian, it's clear that "fallible" is a versatile word that can be used to acknowledge limitations in humans, systems, and processes. While "fallible" indicates the potential for error, it's important not to use it to excuse negligence, but rather to promote caution and the implementation of safeguards.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prone to error

Focuses on the likelihood of making mistakes.

imperfect

Emphasizes the lack of perfection.

liable to make mistakes

Highlights the responsibility associated with potential errors.

capable of error

Stresses the inherent possibility of making mistakes.

not infallible

Directly negates the quality of being incapable of error.

flawed

Indicates the presence of imperfections or defects.

erroneous

Highlights the potential for containing errors.

vulnerable to mistakes

Focuses on the susceptibility to making errors.

subject to error

Emphasizes the condition of being exposed to the possibility of error.

not always correct

Simplifies the idea of not being perfect or always right.

FAQs

How to use "fallible" in a sentence?

You can use "fallible" to describe entities prone to error. For example: "Humans are "fallible" and make mistakes", or "The system, being designed by humans, is inherently "fallible"".

What can I say instead of "fallible"?

You can use alternatives like "prone to error", "imperfect", or "liable to make mistakes" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fallible human being"?

Yes, "fallible human being" is a common and correct expression used to emphasize that humans are capable of making mistakes.

What is the difference between "fallible" and "flawed"?

"Fallible" emphasizes the capacity to err, while "flawed" suggests an inherent defect or imperfection. Something "fallible" might not always make mistakes, but something "flawed" inherently possesses a weakness.