it is bound to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is bound to fail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a strong belief that something will inevitably not succeed. Example: "Given the lack of planning and resources, this project is bound to fail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It is bound to fail.

The Economist

It is bound to fail eventually.

The New York Times

It is bound to fail," Mashaal said from his exile in Doha.

The Guardian

"It is bound to fail because when it is at the collector's house the ball will sink to the bottom," he added.

The New Yorker

The Semantic Web "may be useful, but it is bound to fail," Dr. Buckland said, adding, "It doesn't scale because nobody will provide enough labor to build it".

The New York Times - Science

However, insofar as OWS is meant to persuade Americans to adopt a wholly different and better way to live with one another, it is bound to fail.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

In that sense, the national security state is it's own worst enemy – it's bound to fail".

The Guardian

"But they weren't part of the negotiations for the ceasefire, while the Israelis were, and I think it was bound to fail for that reason.

The Guardian

One BPB adviser even suggested that if that was all the French could manage, they might just as well leave it at 720p, where it was bound to fail, and save us all the trouble of even considering it.

The Guardian - Business

He was right to challenge May's pieties on entering Downing Street – that's the benchmark she has set herself, and it's bound to fail because by their nature Tory governments can never favour the poor.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was bound to fail... Barbie's lawyer, Jacques Verges, whose own father was a French colonial diplomat forced out of the foreign service for marrying a Vietnamese, seemed to expect, or pretended to seem to expect, that in Klaus Barbie's trial all crimes against humanity would be exposed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. The antecedent should be unambiguous to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "it is bound to fail" when you simply mean something is difficult or challenging. The phrase implies a near-certain failure, not just a struggle. For instance, saying "Learning quantum physics is bound to fail" is an overstatement; instead, try "Learning quantum physics is very challenging."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is bound to fail" serves as a predictive statement expressing a strong belief or conviction that something will inevitably be unsuccessful. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is used to express a strong belief that something will inevitably not succeed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is bound to fail" is a phrase used to express a strong conviction about the likely failure of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general usability. The phrase maintains a neutral tone suitable for a range of contexts, particularly within news and media. While not exceptionally common, its usage is well-established, and synonyms like "it is destined to fail" or "it is doomed to fail" can provide alternative options. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what "it" refers to, and that the strength of the statement aligns with the situation at hand. Use "it is bound to fail" when you want to express a strong conviction about the likely failure of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is destined to fail

Replaces "bound" with "destined", implying a predetermined, unchangeable outcome.

it is doomed to fail

Substitutes "bound" with "doomed", suggesting a negative fate or unavoidable failure.

it is sure to fail

Replaces "bound" with "sure", conveying a strong certainty of failure.

it will inevitably fail

Uses "inevitably" to emphasize the certainty and inescapability of the failure.

failure is unavoidable

Shifts the focus to the failure itself, highlighting its unavoidable nature.

it cannot succeed

Emphasizes the impossibility of success.

it has no chance of success

Indicates a complete lack of possibility for a positive outcome.

it is set up to fail

Implies that the circumstances or design contribute to the high probability of failure.

it is a recipe for disaster

Highlights the likely negative consequences and potential problems.

it is heading for a crash

Suggests an impending and significant failure, possibly with dramatic effects.

FAQs

What does "it is bound to fail" mean?

The phrase "it is bound to fail" means that something is very likely or certain to be unsuccessful. It suggests a strong conviction that the outcome will be negative.

What can I say instead of "it is bound to fail"?

You can use alternatives like "it is destined to fail", "it is doomed to fail", or "it is sure to fail" depending on the context.

Is "it's bound to fail" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it's bound to fail" is grammatically correct. It is a contraction of "it is bound to fail" and carries the same meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "it is bound to fail"?

It's appropriate to use "it is bound to fail" when there are clear indicators or reasons to believe that something will almost certainly not succeed. The phrase is suitable for situations where the failure is foreseeable due to inherent flaws, poor planning, or unfavorable circumstances.