manifest failure

USAGE SUMMARY

"manifest failure" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe when something is evidently failing or has clearly gone wrong, and is often used in both formal and informal writing. For example: "The manifest failure of the new policy has resulted in low morale among the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

This is true despite President Bush's manifest failure to honor his word.

The New York Times

"Our current posture is a manifest failure of leadership," he said.

The Guardian

Despite the manifest failure of the drug "war", American officials see talk of legalisation as "surrender".

The Economist

Our solution is a messy one; but a century of manifest failure argues for trying it.

The Economist

She says no one queried David Cameron's credentials to be prime minister, or Tony Blair's, even after manifest failure.

The Guardian - Opinion

The judge was scathing about the soldiers' "manifest failure" to take any action to save the drowning boy's life.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The ABC's many manifest failures are outlined by Jones.

The Guardian

Yet any honest defense of humanitarian aid must account for other manifest failures.

The New Yorker

They should not blind us to the manifest failures of his economic team.

The Washington Post

"Targeted sanctions" were devised in the late 1990s as a response to the manifest failures of traditional, broad-based economic sanctions.

The Guardian

"Simply denying that this administration has underestimated the threat is unlikely to convince Americans who see the manifest failures of the United States government to address a systemic problem".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "manifest failure" to describe situations where the failure is not just present, but also easily observable and undeniable. This emphasizes the clarity and obviousness of the failure.

Common error

Avoid using "manifest failure" when the failure is not immediately obvious or requires deep analysis to uncover. Opt for terms like "potential failure" or "possible setback" if the situation is not yet definitively a clear and evident failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manifest failure" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes a state of obvious and undeniable failure. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, emphasizing the clarity and visibility of the failure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "manifest failure" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a situation or event where the failure is obvious and undeniable. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's frequently used in News & Media and Science contexts to clearly and emphatically identify failures, leaving little room for doubt. While alternatives like "obvious defeat" or "evident breakdown" exist, "manifest failure" provides a strong and direct assessment of a situation. Using it appropriately involves ensuring the failure is indeed evident and not merely potential, thus maintaining clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obvious defeat

Replaces "failure" with a more aggressive term and highlights the clarity of defeat.

clear inadequacy

Emphasizes the lack of sufficiency or suitability, moving from failure to capability.

evident breakdown

Focuses on the process of failing or collapsing, rather than the state.

visible collapse

Stresses the visual aspect of something breaking down, rather than explicitly labeling it a failure.

patent deficiency

Highlights a clear and obvious lack or shortage, similar to inadequacy.

glaring shortcoming

Emphasizes the obviousness and negative impact of a weakness or fault.

noticeable malfunction

Shifts the focus to operational issues rather than overall failure.

conspicuous downfall

Emphasizes the dramatic and visible nature of the failure.

unequivocal debacle

Replaces "failure" with a term suggesting complete disaster or fiasco.

unmistakable flop

Uses a more informal term for failure, implying a lack of success.

FAQs

How can I use "manifest failure" in a sentence?

You can use "manifest failure" to describe any situation where the failure is obvious and undeniable. For example: "The project's "manifest failure" led to significant financial losses."

What are some alternatives to "manifest failure"?

Some alternatives to "manifest failure" include "obvious defeat", "clear inadequacy", or "evident breakdown". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "manifest failure" too formal for everyday conversation?

"Manifest failure" is suitable for formal writing and discussions. In everyday conversation, more casual terms like "obvious flop" or "clear failure" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "apparent failure" and "manifest failure"?

"Manifest failure" implies the failure is undeniable and clearly visible, whereas "apparent failure" suggests the failure is only seemingly so, and might not be a complete failure upon closer inspection.