if this fails

USAGE SUMMARY

'if this fails' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that something might not be successful. For example: "We have a plan to improve efficiency, but if this fails, we'll need to come up with an alternative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If this fails, pretend not to hear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If this fails, take it up with your boss.

The New York Times - Magazine

If this fails, I wouldn't be as upset by it".

The New York Times - Magazine

"If this fails, we all fail," he said.

The New York Times

If this fails, Khan says, he will begin street protests.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If this fails, they must be cut into sections.

The New Yorker

If this fails, Mr. Yanukovich could call for new parliamentary elections.

The New York Times

If this fails, and Mubarak stays in power, we are all going to go to jail".

The New Yorker

If this fails, the Sejm has two weeks to find a prime minister of its own.

The Economist

I cannot even imagine what would happen to our people if this fails.

The Guardian

If this fails, then a trip to an ear, nose and throat surgeon may be needed.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if this fails" to clearly introduce an alternative plan or course of action.

Common error

While "if this fails" is acceptable in many contexts, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "should this prove unsuccessful" or "in the event of failure" for formal writing to enhance tone and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if this fails" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a situation where the primary action or plan is unsuccessful. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and usable. The phrase sets the stage for an alternative action or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if this fails" is a grammatically correct and very common conditional phrase used to introduce alternative actions when an initial plan is unsuccessful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across diverse contexts, especially in news, wiki and scientific writing. While its register is generally neutral, remember to consider more sophisticated alternatives in formal writing to enhance your tone and precision. Be mindful of overuse, and always ensure that the contingency plan is clearly defined when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if this doesn't work

Replaces "fails" with a more direct and simple expression of ineffectiveness.

if this is unsuccessful

Slightly changes the verb, emphasizing the state of being unsuccessful.

if it proves unsuccessful

Substitutes "fails" with a more descriptive adjective phrase.

if this proves ineffective

Replaces "fails" with "proves ineffective", highlighting a lack of effectiveness.

should this not succeed

Uses a more formal and less common construction.

if this goes wrong

Focuses on the negative outcome or problems that may arise.

in the event of failure

Transforms the conditional clause into a prepositional phrase.

if this falls through

Uses the idiom "falls through" to indicate a plan or agreement failing to happen.

if this does not pan out

Uses the idiomatic expression "pan out" to mean succeed or have a good result.

if this comes to nothing

Emphasizes the lack of positive outcome or result.

FAQs

How to use "if this fails" in a sentence?

Use "if this fails" to introduce a contingency plan. For example, "We will attempt the primary method, but "if this fails", we'll resort to the backup strategy".

What can I say instead of "if this fails"?

You can use alternatives like "if this doesn't work", "in the event of failure", or "should this not succeed" depending on the desired level of formality.

Which is correct, "if this fails" or "if this will fail"?

"If this fails" is generally preferred. "If this will fail" is grammatically correct but less common and can sound awkward. The simple present tense is typically used for future events in conditional clauses.

What's the difference between "if this fails" and "when this fails"?

"If this fails" implies a possibility of failure and introduces a contingency. "When this fails" suggests a certainty of failure and often indicates a plan for dealing with the inevitable outcome.