if something fails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if something fails" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the possibility of a failure occurring and its implications or consequences. Example: "If something fails, we need to have a backup plan in place to ensure continuity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

If something fails, why fund it?

Independent

"They don't know what to do if something fails".

The New York Times

If something fails to shock you in the west, why should it shock you in China?

The Guardian - Opinion

If something fails, you put out yet another contract, and all the people who were happy before get even happier.

The New York Times

Croft says these initiatives can shorten early stage development: "Having a portfolio of different projects can help speed things up because you've got alternatives, so if something fails you can move on to another project".

The Guardian

And if something fails, never call it a failure.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It's hard to disabuse someone of the notion that if something failed, the guy who decided to do it is to blame.

Yale University

Tan said that if something failed to sell at Macy’s (nyse: M – news - people ) it would be marked down 30% early in the season; you would not see a comperable discount at Dillard’s until much later.

Forbes

This doesn't give the intuitive truth conditions of (13) on the reading that concerns us, since (13b) would be true if something failed to be a donkey Sarah owns.

SEP

Something fails?

HuffPost

Something failed him".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When outlining contingency plans, use "if something fails" to clearly establish conditions that trigger alternative actions.

Common error

While usable, "if something fails" might sound too informal in certain professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "in the event of failure" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if something fails" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a hypothetical situation where an action or process is unsuccessful. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage and acceptability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

28%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if something fails" is a common and grammatically sound conditional phrase used to introduce potential failures and their consequences. Ludwig AI identifies it as correct and usable across various contexts, although its formality may be adjusted depending on the setting. When writing, consider the specific tone required and opt for more formal alternatives like "in the event of failure" if needed. This phrase finds frequent usage in news, wiki, and scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in case of failure

Formal alternative, emphasizing a planned response to potential failure.

if things go wrong

Informal and general, covering a broader range of problems.

if it doesn't work out

Informal, focusing on the lack of a positive outcome.

if it proves unsuccessful

Formal, highlighting a lack of achievement.

were it to fail

Hypothetical and somewhat formal.

should it not succeed

More formal and literary, focusing on the lack of success.

assuming failure occurs

Sets failure as a premise for further discussion.

in the event of malfunction

Technical, specific to systems or devices failing.

should anything go amiss

Formal, focusing on problems or irregularities.

on the off chance of failure

Emphasizes the low probability of failure.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if something fails" to sound more formal?

Consider using phrases like "in the event of failure", "should it prove unsuccessful", or "were it to fail" for a more formal tone.

What's a less formal alternative to "if something fails"?

You can use alternatives such as "if it doesn't work out" or "if things go wrong" in more casual contexts.

Is "if something fails" grammatically correct?

Yes, "if something fails" is grammatically correct and widely used in English.

When is it appropriate to use "if something fails" in writing?

"If something fails" is suitable when discussing potential failures and their consequences, especially when outlining plans or procedures that address these possibilities. It is suitable to many contexts, but prefer a formal sentence when the context requires it.