in case of failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"in case of failure" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a scenario in which a certain goal or objective is not achieved, in order to plan what to do in that eventuality. For example, "We should create a backup plan in case of failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Returns kTRUE in case of failure.

Stanford University

In case of failure, a recovery procedure shall be triggered.

Fusion Engineering and Design

Furthermore it defines possibly implications in case of failure.

Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine

Hogarth's house has two pumps going, with a back-up for each in case of failure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Everyone was always setting up someone else as a fall guy in case of failure.

The New York Times - Books

Moreover, the strategy also provides backup protection in case of failure of the primary protection.

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

Indeed, for this type of application, we need fast restoration in case of failure.

Computer Networks

"In case of failure we will try to hold out again until better opportunities for reaching our goals arise".

The New York Times

In case of failure of the backup, there are three possible scenarios.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

In case of failure, mark the undecoded rows and go to step 2.   (2) Initialize CSIT.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In case of failure, the tree is dynamically reconstructed without any message overhead.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in case of failure", clearly state what the alternative plan or action will be. This provides a complete and actionable statement.

Common error

Avoid using "in case of failure" without specifying the backup strategy. Always follow up with what actions should be taken if the primary plan does not succeed, so as not to leave the reader hanging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in case of failure" functions as an adverbial phrase, introducing a condition under which a subsequent action or plan should be implemented. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig show its role in specifying backup plans or alternative procedures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in case of failure" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is to introduce a contingency plan, specifying actions to be taken if an initial attempt is unsuccessful. It is most prevalent in scientific and news contexts, carrying a neutral to slightly formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly articulate the alternative actions to be taken, providing a complete and actionable statement. Consider variations like "in the event of failure" or "if it goes wrong" for different levels of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the event of failure

Uses a more formal tone while maintaining the same core meaning.

if unsuccessful

Offers a more concise and direct way to refer to a failed attempt.

should it fail

Emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the failure, offering a more concise alternative.

if it goes wrong

Provides a more informal and general way to express a potential negative outcome.

failing that

Provides a brief and somewhat colloquial alternative to introduce a subsequent action if the first one doesn't work.

as a fallback

Highlights the contingency plan aspect, suggesting an alternative action if the primary one fails.

if all else fails

Indicates a desperate measure to be taken only when every other possibility has been exhausted.

as a last resort

Suggests a final option to be used only if all other attempts have failed.

on the off chance of failure

Emphasizes the low probability of failure, but still acknowledges the possibility.

in the absence of success

Presents a more formal and slightly indirect way to indicate a lack of positive results.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in case of failure" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "in the event of failure" or "should it fail".

What is a simpler way to say "in case of failure"?

Simpler alternatives include "if it goes wrong" or "if unsuccessful", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "in case of failure" in writing?

"In case of failure" is appropriate when you want to proactively address potential negative outcomes and outline alternative plans or actions.

What should I include after using the phrase "in case of failure"?

After using "in case of failure", clearly specify the contingency plan or the actions that should be taken if the primary attempt is unsuccessful. For example, "In case of failure, we will activate the backup system".