severe failure of

USAGE SUMMARY

"severe failure of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something has failed significantly. For example, "The test revealed a severe failure of the system's security measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This is a severe failure of Palestinian leadership.

The New York Times

"There's a severe failure of intelligence about society and about social tensions," Mr. Tanner said.

The New York Times

The collapse induced a strong air shock and severe failure of rock strata.

International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences

Serrated chips are produced at high frequency in the high-speed machining, which often induce a severe failure of the coated cutting tools.

Surface and Coatings Technology

He sounded less than impressed - pointing out that when a bank comes close to going bust (requiring a huge intervention by the British taxpayer), there been a pretty severe failure of control.

The Guardian - Business

For this reason, we ask senior members of staff from that time to account for what appears to be the severe failure of the school system to protect its pupils from those who exploited their positions of power.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

However, if the rubbing is severe, failures of the blades would occur, even with blade tip squealers.

Gas Turbine Engineering Handbook

Although some delusions can be accompanied by severe failures of autonomous decision-making and give rise to action for which the agent is not held accountable, it is not obvious that these are generalisable phenomena.

SEP

The three cases described highlight the universality of severe failure to thrive in ARC syndrome and the wide range of associated clinical features, including nephrotic range proteinuria.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

The average age at death is 13 months, but the exact cause is unclear and seems to be a result of severe failure to thrive.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Clinical

These results indicate a severe failure in postembryonic division of seam cells.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "severe failure of", ensure that the context clearly indicates what exactly has failed and why it is considered severe. Providing specific details strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "severe failure of" to describe minor issues. Reserve this phrase for situations where the failure has significant and far-reaching consequences. Overusing it can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe failure of" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a significant breakdown or deficiency, as seen in Ludwig examples related to system failures and leadership breakdowns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "severe failure of" is used to describe significant and critical breakdowns in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English, especially when you want to emphasize the magnitude of the failure and its consequences. It frequently appears in scientific and news contexts. While acceptable, be mindful of overusing the phrase and ensure it is justified by the severity of the situation. Related phrases such as "major breakdown in" or "critical deficiency in" can serve as alternatives depending on the intended nuance. When writing, be specific about what has failed and the reasons behind the severity to maximize the impact of your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major breakdown in

Emphasizes a significant malfunction or cessation of normal operation.

serious breakdown of

Indicates a significant disruption or malfunction, emphasizing its severity.

critical flaw in

Highlights a crucial defect or imperfection that undermines effectiveness or reliability.

critical deficiency in

Highlights a crucial lack or inadequacy, often implying serious consequences.

major deficit in

Focuses on a substantial shortage or deficiency, often in resources or capabilities.

grave inadequacy in

Stresses a profound lack or deficiency, suggesting serious implications.

profound lack of

Emphasizes a deep and substantial absence of something necessary or desirable.

utter lack of

Stresses a complete and absolute absence of something, leaving no room for compromise.

complete collapse of

Focuses on a total and sudden loss of structure, function, or effectiveness.

significant lapse in

Highlights a notable error, omission, or decline, often in a specific area or function.

FAQs

How can I use "severe failure of" in a sentence?

Use "severe failure of" to describe significant breakdowns or deficiencies, such as "The investigation revealed a "severe failure of" the safety protocols".

What are some alternatives to "severe failure of"?

You can use phrases like "major breakdown in", "critical deficiency in", or "complete collapse of depending on the specific context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "severe failure of"?

It's appropriate to use "severe failure of" when describing situations where a system, process, or entity has experienced a critical breakdown that has significant consequences.

What is the difference between "failure of" and ""severe failure of""?

While "failure of" indicates a general lack of success or breakdown, ""severe failure of"" emphasizes the magnitude and critical nature of the failure, implying more significant consequences.