infallible

USAGE SUMMARY

"infallible" is a perfectly acceptable word to use in written English.
It is an adjective that means incapable of making mistakes or being wrong. An example sentence would be: "The infallible teacher always had the right answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(In the Vienna Circle's days, foundationalism had it that the basic items of knowledge upon which all others depended were independent of each other, concerned phenomenal states of affairs and were infallible; nowadays, foundationalists drop phenomenalism and infallibility).

SEP

But behind the irresistibly courteous front, the infallible memory for faces, there is a real and lovable man, perhaps the biggest British football has produced.

The Guardian - Sport

Magazines might do their best to peer into the future, but they are not, of course, infallible.

The Guardian

So, when it comes to investing, the rich aren't infallible.

The Guardian - Money

To conceive of a force as infallible or mythical, then, is to create a too-perfect solution to every problem, from Isis to hostage-takers the world over.

The Guardian - Opinion

Charlotte, by email You most certainly did, Charlotte, but, fortunately, I have saved it in my infallible filing system.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Witness, for instance, the recent devaluations of two moneymen who during the 1980s and early 1990s were regarded as all but infallible: Warren Buffett, the Sage of Omaha, and Tony Dye of Phillips & Drew in London.Mr Kaufman's pessimism is ingrained, and he readily admits it.

The Economist

MARK TWAIN regarded trial by jury as "the most ingenious and infallible agency for defeating justice that human wisdom could contrive".

The Economist

From the 1970s, the Great Leader put his son in charge of the ghost-writers who wrote all his infallible books.

The Economist

Makers of designer goods, of course, are no more infallible than other firms, but the companies concerned cannot help wondering whether they are victims of a new form of protectionism bad publicity.

The Economist

It marks a departure from past practice, when the police and legal system were held to be infallible.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "infallible" when you want to emphasize the absolute certainty and absence of error in a system, person, or process. It's a strong term, so reserve it for situations where such certainty is truly meant to be conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using "infallible" casually. It implies an absolute absence of error, which is rarely the case in everyday situations. Opt for words like "reliable" or "accurate" when describing something that is generally correct but not entirely without fault.

Linguistic Context

The word "infallible" functions primarily as an adjective. It is used to describe a noun as being incapable of making mistakes or being wrong. Ludwig AI affirms this usage is perfectly acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "infallible" is an adjective denoting an absolute inability to make mistakes, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and scientific contexts, it's essential to wield this term judiciously. Overuse in casual contexts can diminish its impact. Consider alternatives like "unerring" or "flawless" to convey similar meanings with nuanced differences. Understanding its function and appropriate usage, as highlighted by examples from authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian, will enhance your writing precision and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incapable of error

A more descriptive and literal equivalent.

unerring

Similar in meaning, but carries a slightly more formal and literary tone.

flawless

Focuses on the absence of any imperfections or defects, not necessarily implying inability to err.

foolproof

Indicates that something is so well-designed that it cannot fail or be misused.

perfect

Broader in scope than "infallible", indicating overall excellence and completeness.

irrefutable

Describes something that cannot be disproven or argued against, implying a high degree of certainty.

unerringly accurate

Emphasizes precision and correctness without deviation.

always right

A simpler, more direct, and less formal way to express the same idea.

certain

Focuses on the certainty and sureness of something, implying a lack of doubt.

sure

Similar to "certain", but less formal and more commonly used.

FAQs

How can I use "infallible" in a sentence?

You can use "infallible" to describe something incapable of making mistakes, such as "The system was designed with "infallible" logic" or "No one is "infallible"; everyone makes mistakes".

What are some synonyms for "infallible"?

Alternatives to "infallible" include "unerring", "flawless", or "foolproof", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to describe a person as "infallible"?

While you can describe a person as "infallible", it's often an exaggeration. The term implies an absolute inability to make mistakes, which is rarely true of humans. It's more common to use it for systems or processes designed to be error-free.

What is the difference between "infallible" and "reliable"?

"Infallible" suggests an absolute certainty and inability to fail, while "reliable" indicates consistency and dependability, even if occasional errors are possible. Something "reliable" can be trusted to perform well most of the time, but it's not necessarily perfect.