should they fail to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should they fail to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express a conditional situation regarding someone's failure to do something. Example: "Should they fail to meet the deadline, we will have to reconsider our options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We remain committed to further reforms should they fail to do the job.

The New York Times

All four teams will have no excuses should they fail to take the initiative this weekend.

The Guardian - Sport

But should they fail to make a deal he would be waiting.

The Guardian

Should they fail to toe the line, the Patriot Act essentially cuts off foreign institutions from business relations with America.

The Economist

Guardian journalist George Monbiot has told the university he will hand back his degree should they fail to divest.

The Guardian

Deuteronomy 28 catalogs the curses with which God will strike the Jewish people should they fail to obey his laws.

The New York Times - Books

Some make defendants liable for a given sum should they fail to appear but do not collect it up front.

The New York Times

Should they fail to, a concert in aid of saving their concert might be the best next logical step.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"At interview", he said, "I always ask for their second choice of career should they fail to get into newspapers.

The Guardian - Books

True to the original programme, contestants face being locked in should they fail to complete a task in time.

The Guardian - Travel

And should they fail to find prey as effectively, they will need to use up their stores of excess blubber.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For more informal writing contexts, consider alternatives like "if they don't" or "if they can't".

Common error

Avoid using "should they fail to" in direct questions. It's more appropriate for hypothetical or conditional statements, not for seeking information. Instead of "Should they fail to deliver on time, what happens then?" use "What happens if they fail to deliver on time?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should they fail to" functions as a conditional clause introducer. It sets up a hypothetical situation where an expected action or goal is not achieved. This construction, as seen in Ludwig examples, leads to a statement outlining the consequences or alternatives that follow the potential failure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should they fail to" is a versatile conditional construction predominantly found in news, scientific and business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to introduce hypothetical scenarios where failure is a possibility. Its register tends towards formal and neutral, making it suitable for professional communication. Remember to use "if" based alternatives in informal contexts. This phrase helps convey contingency, warn, and plan for alternatives in the event that something goes wrong.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if they don't succeed

Replaces "should" with a more common "if" conditional structure.

if they are unsuccessful

Uses "unsuccessful" to express the lack of success.

in the event of their failure

Formal substitution highlighting the possibility of failure.

supposing they fall short

Implies a deficit in achieving a target or goal.

in the case of their not succeeding

Similar meaning but rephrased to focus on the case or scenario.

assuming they do not accomplish

A more formal replacement emphasizing the assumption of non-accomplishment.

were they to be unsuccessful

A more hypothetical and formal way of expressing the condition.

on the off chance they don't manage

Informal alternative emphasizing the low probability of success.

if they happen to not achieve

Expresses a casual contingency with the use of "happen to".

if they cannot pull it off

An idiomatic expression, less formal, suggesting an inability to execute something.

FAQs

How can I use "should they fail to" in a sentence?

The phrase "should they fail to" is used to express a condition where a particular action or effort might not succeed. For example, "Should they fail to meet the deadline, we will have to find an alternative solution."

What are some alternatives to saying "should they fail to"?

You can use alternatives like "if they don't succeed", "in the event that they fail", or "if they are unsuccessful" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "should they fail to" formal or informal?

The phrase "should they fail to" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, phrases like "if they don't" might be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "should they fail to" and "if they fail to"?

Both phrases express a conditional scenario, but "should they fail to" is slightly more formal and often implies a greater degree of concern or anticipation about the potential failure.