should that fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should that fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a conditional situation where an action or plan may not succeed, and an alternative is being suggested. Example: "We will proceed with the initial plan; should that fail, we have a backup strategy in place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Should that fail, they will ask the United States Supreme Court to review it.

The New York Times

Should that fail Fifa has the power to suspend Australia from Fifa-mandated competitions.

The Guardian - Sport

Should that fail, they will ask the Supreme Court to review it.

The New York Times

Should that fail to happen, Bryant would experience his second losing season, but this time with a stronger supporting cast.

The New York Times

Should that fail, he said, Mr. Gatsas might try to rally mayors in other resettlement cities to his cause.

The New York Times

Should that fail, it will be up to Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, to bring it to the floor as a separate measure.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

On Thursday, Prime Minister David Cameron said people should boycott websites that fail to tackle online abuse.

BBC

Stewards who turn a blind eye to abuse should be removed and clubs that fail to take action should be penalised, with fines or points deductions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those that fail should not.

The New York Times

Our findings suggest that regulators, auditors, and investors should consider subjecting companies that fail to provide transparent disclosures to additional scrutiny.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Hospitals that fail should lose market share.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "should that fail" to introduce a contingency plan or alternative course of action when the success of the initial plan is uncertain. It adds a level of formality suitable for professional or academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "should that fail" when a more direct conditional like "if that fails" is clearer and more appropriate. Overusing formal constructions can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should that fail" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that outlines a contingency. It sets up an alternative scenario to be considered if the primary action or plan does not succeed, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should that fail" is a conditional phrase that introduces an alternative action or plan if the initial attempt is unsuccessful. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "if that doesn't work" or "in the event of failure". Keep in mind, its formal tone may not be appropriate in all situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if that doesn't work

Replaces "should that fail" with a more direct and informal conditional clause.

if that is unsuccessful

Replaces "should that fail" with a more explicit and descriptive conditional.

if it doesn't succeed

Offers a slightly simpler and more straightforward alternative to "should that fail".

in the event of failure

Substitutes "should that fail" with a more formal and noun-based expression of potential failure.

if the primary option fails

Clarifies that the primary option is unsuccessful, necessitating an alternative action.

failing that

Presents a concise and slightly more literary alternative to "should that fail".

if that proves impossible

Emphasizes the potential difficulty or infeasibility of the initial action.

if all else fails

Highlights that the alternative is considered only when other attempts have not been successful.

as a last resort

Indicates that the alternative action is only to be taken after all other options have been exhausted.

alternatively

Provides a simple and direct way to introduce an alternative course of action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "should that fail" to sound less formal?

Alternatives include "if that doesn't work", "if it fails", or simply "otherwise". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "should that fail" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "should that fail" is appropriate for academic writing. It conveys a conditional contingency in a formal and precise manner.

What is the difference between "should that fail" and "if that fails"?

"Should that fail" is a more formal and somewhat less common way of saying "if that fails". The meaning is the same, but the tone differs.

How to use "should that fail" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce an alternative plan or action. For example: "We will proceed with the first method; "should that fail", we will resort to the second method."