product failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "product failure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where a product does not meet expectations or fails to perform as intended in the market. Example: "The company faced significant losses due to the product failure of their latest smartphone model."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Initial risk assessment was performed with the help of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis tool, to identify the failure modes that had the greatest chance of causing product failure, i.e., not meeting the Quality Target Product Profile.

Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology

Our guarantee covers: Every item for the lifetime of the product; failure of workmanship and craftsmanship; failure of materials; and production defects". Warranty: "With a little help from you, these boots and shoes will give you years of wear.

HuffPost

The probable design errors leading to product failure are discussed.

The Journal of Arthroplasty

One recent calculation estimated that new product failure costs the US food industry $20bn a year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An experienced fractographer can often pinpoint the origin, the cause, and the circumstances of product failure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A concerted effort to reduce product failure in the field will simultaneously reduce the number of defectives in the factory.

Harvard Business Review

Business strategies, product technologies, and information about product failure rates, which drive many businesses' allocation decisions, will change over time.

Harvard Business Review

A product failure could be because of a faulty part; a process failure could result from a missed step.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Very often, ineffective marketing is the primary cause of new product failures.

Cornell University

These predictable surprises range from financial scandals to operational disruptions, from organizational upheavals to product failures.

Harvard Business Review

There are losses, defections, product failures; the stock price goes south.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "product failure" in formal reports and analyses, reserving more informal terms for casual conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "product failure" when you actually mean the product didn't sell well due to marketing or economic reasons, not because of a defect or malfunction. The term "market failure" is more appropriate in that case.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "product failure" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence, describing a situation where a product does not meet its intended purpose or specifications. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is a common way to discuss a product's shortcomings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "product failure" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe instances where a product does not meet its intended purpose or malfunctions. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, it finds frequent use across various domains, including science, news media, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "malfunctioning product" or "defective product" exist, "product failure" remains a versatile and widely understood term. When using the phrase, specificity regarding the nature of the failure is key to clear communication. Awareness of its distinct meaning from "market failure" is also crucial to avoid conceptual errors. Therefore, Ludwig confirms that "product failure" remains a standard way to discuss a product's shortcomings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

product malfunction

Highlights the incorrect functioning of a product.

malfunctioning product

Emphasizes the operational aspect of the failure; the product isn't working correctly.

defective product

Highlights a flaw or imperfection in the product's construction or design.

faulty product

Similar to "defective product", but can also imply improper functioning.

performance failure

Emphasizes the product's inability to meet the required performance standards.

unsuccessful product

Focuses on the product's lack of market acceptance or financial viability.

design flaw

Specifically refers to an error or weakness in the product's design.

item breakdown

Points towards a more radical or physical interruption of the original properties of the item.

component failure

Refers to a problem with a specific part of the product that's preventing it from functioning.

quality issue

Refers to a problem with quality of the product during the manufacturing or the shipping.

FAQs

What are some common causes of "product failure"?

Common causes include design flaws, manufacturing defects, poor material selection, inadequate testing, and unexpected environmental factors.

What can I say instead of "product failure"?

You can use alternatives like "malfunctioning product", "defective product", or "product malfunction" depending on the specific context.

How is "product failure" different from "market failure"?

"Product failure" refers to a problem with the product itself, such as a defect or malfunction. "Market failure", on the other hand, refers to a situation where a product does not sell well due to external factors like poor marketing or lack of demand.

What is the role of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) in preventing "product failure"?

FMEA is a systematic approach to identify potential failure modes in a product or process and assess their effects, allowing engineers to prioritize and address the most critical risks to prevent "product failure".