impending failure

USAGE SUMMARY

'impending failure' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it in a variety of contexts to describe a situation that is likely to fail or to refer to a potential failure that is likely to happen soon. For example, "The company's rising debt and its decreasing revenue are signs of impending failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Condition-based Maintenance (CBM) for the railway is a maintenance strategy that can provide sufficient warning of an impending failure.

Journal of Modern Transportation

In both cases, the victim suffers from cold sweats, nausea and feelings of inadequacy and impending failure.

The New York Times

This makes it possible to diagnose faults remotely and even predict the impending failure of parts of the car.

The Economist

A wrought-iron gun, on the other hand, tended to split progressively, giving the gunners warning of an impending failure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So is it any wonder investors react to every market rumor of an impending failure with the certainty that it's true?

The New York Times

Now, maybe that's not the healthiest way to function … but also, frankly, since the age of 20, all of the interviews I've done have involved people asking about my impending failure, and how I felt about the possibility of that.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

There is a section for recent catastrophes, like the failure of Pets.com; a game that awards points for correctly predicting collapses; and a solicitation to readers for gossip and rumors about impending failures.

The New York Times

These techniques are proven tools for forecasting any impending failures and also for optimizing the downtime of maintenance.

Measurement

We develop two cusum change-point detection algorithms for data network monitoring applications where numerous and various performance and reliability metrics are available to aid with the early identification of realized or impending failures.

Computational Statistics & Data Analysis

The radiographic analysis revealed no impending failures at final follow-up.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Resilience comes to the fore when frontline staff and patients adapt what they do to avert impending failures.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "impending failure" when you want to emphasize that a negative outcome is not just possible, but also near in time or highly probable. Consider the emotional impact and choose it when a serious or grave tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "impending failure" in casual conversation or informal writing, as its formal tone can sound overly dramatic. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "going wrong" or "falling apart" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impending failure" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state or situation that is on the verge of collapse or malfunction, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impending failure" is a grammatically sound and relatively formal way to describe a situation where a negative outcome is highly probable and near in time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not extremely common, the phrase appears across diverse contexts, from science and news to business and general discussions. When using this phrase, consider the formal tone and potential for overly dramatic effect in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching collapse

Focuses on the idea of a structure or system nearing a state of ruin.

threatening collapse

Similar to "approaching collapse" but emphasizes the danger or risk involved.

imminent downfall

Suggests a likely and rapid decline or ruin.

potential catastrophe

Highlights the possibility of an extremely negative or disastrous outcome.

looming disaster

Emphasizes the threatening and negative aspect of the coming failure.

forthcoming breakdown

Highlights the idea of a system or relationship ceasing to function.

brewing crisis

Implies a failure that is developing or intensifying.

oncoming defeat

Specific to situations involving competition or struggle, emphasizing a loss.

gathering storm

Metaphorically suggests increasing problems that lead to failure.

developing setback

Refers to a failure still in progress or not yet fully realized.

FAQs

How can I use "impending failure" in a sentence?

You can use "impending failure" to describe situations where a negative outcome is highly probable and near in time, such as "The company's high debt signals "approaching collapse"."

What are some alternatives to "impending failure"?

Alternatives include "looming disaster", "imminent downfall", or "threatening collapse", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "impending failure" a formal or informal phrase?

"Impending failure" is generally considered a formal phrase. In informal contexts, you might prefer expressions like "about to crash" or "on the verge of collapse".

What's the difference between "impending failure" and "possible failure"?

"Impending failure" suggests a higher probability and nearness of the negative outcome compared to "possible failure", which simply indicates a potential for failure without implying certainty or immediacy.