several failures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "several failures" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe multiple instances of unsuccessful attempts or outcomes in various contexts, such as projects, experiments, or personal endeavors. Example: "Despite several failures in the initial stages of the project, the team remained optimistic and continued to refine their approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

After several failures, the United States did so in 1962.

The New York Times

Accidents are usually the result of several failures.

The Economist

Movie offers dwindled in the 1980's after several failures and a decline in his work.

The New York Times

After several failures, he succeeded in proving his theory and rapidly producing steel ingots.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The coroner, Anne Pember, gave a narrative verdict, saying there had been several failures resulting in the accident.

Independent

With so much recent practice and with several failures to learn from, they have developed a set of rules for how to keep and make peace.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Several failure rate models are considered for calculating the two reliability indices.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Several failure models have been developed and reported in theliterature (Chen 1982).

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

Several failure functions are used to model this high speed impact event.

Structural Safety

The observations of the damaged surfaces have permitted to identify several failure mechanisms.

Surface and Coatings Technology

With the research work mentioned above, several failure assessment methods are compared in biaxial stress states.

Structural Safety

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "several failures", ensure the context clearly indicates what failed and, if relevant, the consequences. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "several failures" without specifying the area or system to which the failures pertain. Without context, the phrase is vague and uninformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "several failures" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig shows, it describes a situation involving multiple instances where something has not succeeded or has broken down. It follows standard grammatical rules and it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "several failures" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to describe multiple unsuccessful outcomes or breakdowns. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, signaling its broad applicability. For clarity, it's best practice to specify what "several failures" refers to, avoiding overgeneralization. Alternatives include "multiple setbacks" or "numerous unsuccessful attempts", depending on the specific context. Overall, "several failures" is a reliable and versatile phrase for expressing the concept of multiple instances of failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple setbacks

Emphasizes the hindering aspect of failures, suggesting obstacles encountered.

numerous unsuccessful attempts

Highlights the repeated effort that did not yield the desired outcome.

repeated malfunctions

Focuses on the faulty operation of a system or device.

various breakdowns

Indicates a collapse or cessation of function in different instances.

a series of defeats

Highlights the aspect of losing or being overcome in a sequence of events.

many flawed outcomes

Stresses the imperfection and unsatisfactory results of several processes.

frequent lapses

Suggests recurring temporary failures or deviations from a standard.

several instances of collapse

Highlights the complete breakdown or failure of a structure or system.

a number of deficiencies

Focuses on the shortcomings or inadequacies that led to the failures.

persistent non-performance

Emphasizes the ongoing lack of expected or required functionality.

FAQs

How can I use "several failures" in a sentence?

You can use "several failures" to describe multiple unsuccessful attempts or outcomes. For example, "Despite several failures, the team persisted in their efforts."

What are some alternatives to "several failures"?

Alternatives include "multiple setbacks", "numerous unsuccessful attempts", or "repeated malfunctions", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "several failures" or "multiple failures"?

Both "several failures" and "multiple failures" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What does "several failures" imply about the situation?

Using "several failures" suggests that there have been more than a few unsuccessful attempts or breakdowns, implying a potentially systemic issue or a challenging situation that requires attention.