intended to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "intended to fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation, plan, or action that is designed or expected to result in failure. Example: "The experiment was intentionally designed with flaws, as it was intended to fail in order to test the limits of the hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Goldman was accused of creating a mortgage product that was intended to fail.

The New York Times

Mr. Berliner's efforts at diagnosing and treating his sleep problems seem intended to fail.

The New York Times - Arts

The S.E.C. charged last week that Goldman had created and sold a mortgage investment that was secretly intended to fail.

The New York Times

The practice drew scrutiny from regulators, who accused the banks of selling investments that were intended to fail.

The New York Times

Producing a component, which is specifically intended to fail in a catastrophic, but controlled manner, presents a unique set of problems to the designer.

Engineering Failure Analysis

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil fraud suit against the firm last month, contending that it misled clients who bought a mortgage security that the regulators said was intended to fail.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But, still, earlier he had said, with sudden passion, that "No, no, I don't believe Labour came intending to fail in social justice, in equality.

The Guardian

"The price of failure is that you disappear off the map - I'm not intending to fail," he told the BBC.

BBC

This line of argument and the undemanding standard of review it is intended to support fail to recognize that the First Amendment liberties of free citizens are implicated in censorship of prisoner mail.

Cornell University

Because you intend to vote for Nader, it would be irrational of you to fail to intend to go to the polling station.

University of California, Berkeley

Fail to support students on some of these tasks and many of them — particularly those from low-income backgrounds or those who would be the first in their families to attend college — may succumb to summer melt, the phenomenon where students who intend to go to college fail to matriculate.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "intended to fail", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is responsible for the intention. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "intended to fail" when describing accidental failures. This phrase implies a deliberate plan, so using it in cases of negligence or unforeseen circumstances can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intended to fail" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intended outcome of a particular action, design, or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe something that is designed or expected to result in failure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "intended to fail" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates a deliberate plan or expectation of failure. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is usable in written English to describe situations, plans or actions that are designed or expected to result in failure. It is most commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific and formal business contexts. When writing, it's crucial to ensure that the responsible party for the intention is clear. While appropriate for formal contexts, avoid using it when describing accidental failures. The phrase is distinct from "destined to fail", with the former implying deliberate planning and the latter suggesting inevitability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

designed for failure

Highlights the planning aspect with a focus on the design.

meant to fail

Emphasizes the purpose or intention behind the failure.

purposely designed for collapse

Highlights that the design was created to make the object collapse

engineered to collapse

Focuses on the deliberate construction leading to failure, particularly in structural contexts.

set up to collapse

Suggests external manipulation to cause the failure.

built to break

Emphasizes the construction aspect with the planned intent for breaking

doomed to fall

Emphasizes a predetermined and unavoidable failure.

programmed to break down

Implies a planned obsolescence or inherent flaw leading to failure.

predestined to crash

Highlights the sense of inevitability, as if failure is predetermined.

destined for downfall

Focuses on the ultimate failure or ruin of something.

FAQs

How can I use "intended to fail" in a sentence?

Use "intended to fail" to describe something deliberately designed or planned to result in failure, such as "The experiment was "designed to fail" in a controlled environment".

What are some alternatives to "intended to fail"?

Alternatives include "designed for failure", "meant to fail", or "set up to collapse", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "intended to fail" in formal writing?

Yes, "intended to fail" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when discussing strategic decisions or analyses. However, ensure the context is clear and professional.

What's the difference between "intended to fail" and "destined to fail"?

"Intended to fail" implies a deliberate plan or design, while "destined to fail" suggests an inevitable outcome, regardless of intent.