has proved fallible

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has proved fallible" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reliability or accuracy of a person, system, or theory that has shown to be imperfect or prone to error. Example: "Despite its initial success, the theory has proved fallible in light of new evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Even Dubai has proved fallible.

The Economist

The Braves have eaten the Mets' lunch in recent years, while on the way to their brilliant run of ten straight post-season appearances, but this year's edition has proved fallible and just now stood last in the National League East.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Heaven knows, religiously moored societies have proved fallible enough in the past.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of its big companies have proved fallible, and its banks have sometimes been a little greedy.

The Economist

"As a writer who has covered science for four decades, this doesn't sound quite like science," he says about the times when neurologic criteria for death have proved fallible.

The New York Times - Health

Traditional authentication measures, involving personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords, and "memorable" answers to stock questions, have proved fallible, largely because we are fallible - we keep forgetting them.

BBC

First came drug recalls and the medical and legal issues surrounding drugs such as Vioxx that had been approved for sale and then had proved fallible.

Science Magazine

Finally, after months of Baggy Green dominance, Australia have proven fallible, with their under-19 team, coached by Graeme Hick, stunned by Afghanistan at the World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

The Guardian - Sport

DNA testing has proved that the system is fallible.

Huffington Post

That has proved wrong.

The Economist

That has proved inadequate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "has proved fallible", ensure that the subject you are describing had previously been considered reliable or accurate. This creates a stronger contrast and highlights the unexpected nature of its fallibility.

Common error

Avoid using "has proved fallible" to describe something that was never expected to be perfect in the first place. This phrase implies a prior expectation of reliability or accuracy that has since been disproven.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has proved fallible" functions as a verb phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something or someone previously thought to be reliable or accurate has been shown to be prone to error or failure. This is consistent with Ludwig's AI response.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has proved fallible" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to denote that something once deemed reliable or accurate has demonstrated its imperfection. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts and maintains a neutral register. The limited number of examples indicates it's not an extremely common expression, but it's certainly a correct and usable one. Remember to use it when describing something that initially had an expectation of reliability. Alternatives such as "has turned out to be flawed" or "has demonstrated its limitations" can offer subtle variations in emphasis. The Ludwig AI confirms that "has proved fallible" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has proven to be unreliable

Uses a synonym for "fallible" to indicate a lack of dependability.

has turned out to be flawed

Replaces "proved fallible" with a different verb and adjective, emphasizing the discovery of a flaw.

has been shown to be imperfect

Uses a passive construction to highlight the demonstration of imperfection.

has demonstrated its limitations

Focuses on the limitations or restrictions that have become apparent.

has not lived up to expectations

Highlights a failure to meet anticipated standards or performance.

has revealed its weaknesses

Emphasizes the exposure of inherent weaknesses or vulnerabilities.

has failed to meet the standard

Indicates a failure to reach a required level of quality or performance.

has been found wanting

Uses a more formal idiom to express a deficiency or inadequacy.

has shown itself to be vulnerable

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or criticism that has become evident.

has not stood the test of time

Suggests that something initially thought to be sound has deteriorated or failed over time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has proved fallible" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "has been shown to be imperfect" or "has demonstrated its limitations". These options use more sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures.

What's the difference between "has proved fallible" and "has proven to be unreliable"?

While the two phrases are very similar, "has proved fallible" suggests a more general imperfection or proneness to error, whereas "has proven to be unreliable" specifically indicates a lack of dependability or consistency.

Is it appropriate to use "has proved fallible" when discussing scientific theories?

Yes, "has proved fallible" is suitable for discussing scientific theories that have been challenged or disproven by new evidence. It acknowledges that even well-established theories can have limitations.

Can "has proved fallible" be used to describe a person?

Yes, it can, but use it with caution. Describing a person as having "has proved fallible" suggests that they were once seen as infallible or highly competent, and their recent actions have revealed their human limitations. It's generally better to focus on specific actions rather than labeling the person.