liable for failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "liable for failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is held responsible for not meeting a certain obligation or standard. Example: "The contractor is liable for failure to complete the project on time, which may result in penalties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But service providers would not be liable for failure to do so.

The New York Times

"If a manufacturer could be held liable for failure to use a different design," Justice Scalia wrote, "the word 'unavoidable' would do no work".

The New York Times

A judge found the company liable for failure to inform consumers that its "light" cigarettes were not less harmful than full-tar cigarettes and awarded damages of $10.1 billion.

The New York Times

"Indeed, there have been cases where property owners have been found to be liable for failure to take steps necessary to provide security to residents or guests," he said.

The New York Times

Most state courts that have considered the issue have rejected this claim by churches, recognizing that holding religious employers liable for failure to monitor employees in sex-abuse cases does not interfere with constitutionally protected religious freedoms.

The New York Times

The GP was found not liable for failure to diagnose because the management plan adopted by the GP was appropriate [ 25].

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

18. GNM shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control.

The Guardian

GNM shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control.

The Guardian

We shall not be liable for any failure to comply with our obligations where the failure is caused by something outside our reasonable control.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

24.GNM shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control.

The Guardian

GNM shall not be liable for any failure to comply with its obligations herein where the failure is caused by something outside its reasonable control.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "liable for failure" when you want to clearly assign legal or moral responsibility for something that has not succeeded. Ensure that the context provides sufficient detail about the nature of the failure and the basis for the liability.

Common error

Avoid using "liable for failure" when you actually mean that someone is guaranteeing success. "Liability" implies responsibility for something negative, while a guarantee implies assurance of a positive outcome. Using the terms interchangeably can create confusion and misrepresent the intended commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "liable for failure" functions as an adjectival phrase that describes a state of being responsible or accountable for an unsuccessful outcome. As seen in Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used in legal and business contexts to assign responsibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12.5%

Less common in

Wiki

12.5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "liable for failure" indicates responsibility for an unsuccessful outcome. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable, though not overly common. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, its function is to assign accountability, often in legal or formal settings. When using this phrase, be clear about the basis and nature of the liability. Be careful not to confuse it with a guarantee of success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Responsible for unsuccessful outcome

Replaces "liable" with "responsible" and directly refers to the outcome being unsuccessful.

Accountable for non-achievement

Substitutes "liable" with "accountable" and "failure" with "non-achievement", focusing on the lack of accomplishment.

Answerable for the deficiency

Replaces the phrase with synonyms that highlight obligation to explain shortcomings.

To blame for the breakdown

Emphasizes culpability and a point of cessation.

Culpable in the mishap

Focuses on blame for a specific incident.

Held to account for the shortfall

This expresses that someone is required to explain and justify why something wasn't accomplished.

Subject to penalty for default

Indicates that penalties will follow for a breach of expected performance.

Bear the responsibility for the loss

Implies a burden of duty regarding an undesirable result.

Carry the can for the debacle

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate taking the blame and consequences after things have gone wrong.

On the hook for the underperformance

Another idiomatic expression that suggests responsibility for inadequate performance.

FAQs

How can I use "liable for failure" in a sentence?

You can use "liable for failure" to indicate that someone is legally or morally responsible when something goes wrong. For example, "The contractor is "liable for failure" to complete the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "liable for failure"?

Alternatives to "liable for failure" include "responsible for unsuccessful outcome", "accountable for non-achievement", or "answerable for the deficiency". The best choice depends on the context.

Is it correct to say "liable of failure" instead of "liable for failure"?

No, the correct phrasing is "liable for failure". The preposition "for" is necessary to correctly express the relationship between liability and the failure in question.

What's the difference between "responsible for failure" and "liable for failure"?

"Responsible for failure" generally indicates a broader sense of accountability, while "liable for failure" often implies a more formal, legal obligation. You might be "responsible for failure" in a project management sense, but "liable for failure" legally due to a contract.