single point of failure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "single point of failure" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an element of a system wherein if that element fails, the entire system fails. For example, "Each of our company's important systems has multiple redundancies to ensure there is no single point of failure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If one bolt falls off and you die, that's a single point of failure".

The Guardian

As such, the immune system has no single point of failure.

The Economist

Using two independent sources of random numbers insured that neither could be a single point of failure.

The New Yorker

This increases choice and means there is no single point of failure.Phones are not so much omnivorous as promiscuous.

The Economist

"If one bolt falls off and you die, that's a single point of failure," the Virgin Galactic engineer, Matt Stinemetze, told Wired magazine in March 2013.

The Guardian

This gives us an opportunity to create a more robust and decentralized -- less single point of failure -- market structure in the United States.

The New York Times

This was the thing I told the journalists: "If the government thinks you're the single point of failure, they'll kill you".

The Guardian

It's also a potentially dangerous single point of failure, as a typo in the proxy server's configuration file could stop any traffic from reaching our API.

The Guardian

While GitHub has greatly simplified and centralized software development, it comes with a price: it is now a single point of failure.

The New Yorker

Many companies now operate on a North American basis.In this section Single point of failure Blind data Thumbs down Three countries or one continent?

The Economist

Mr Kicillof complained these decisions froze economic activity.In this section Single point of failure Blind data Thumbs down Three countries or one continent?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When designing systems, identify and eliminate any "single point of failure" by implementing redundancy and failover mechanisms. This enhances system resilience and prevents catastrophic failures.

Common error

Don't assume that simply adding redundant components eliminates all risks. Ensure your redundancy strategy covers various failure scenarios and is regularly tested to validate its effectiveness against "single point of failure" scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "single point of failure" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object within a sentence. As Ludwig illustrates, it identifies a specific component or aspect within a system whose failure would lead to the system's collapse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "single point of failure" is a common and grammatically correct term used to identify a critical vulnerability in a system, where the failure of one component leads to the failure of the entire system. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is prevalent across various domains, including science, news media, and formal business settings. To avoid such failures, it's crucial to implement redundancy and ensure that systems are designed to withstand potential weaknesses. By understanding this concept and actively mitigating risks, organizations can build more resilient and reliable systems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

central dependency failure

Highlights the risk associated with systems that heavily rely on a central component.

key dependency failure

Highlights the risk associated with systems that heavily rely on a key component.

single source of truth failure

Applies specifically to data systems where a failure in the primary source corrupts all data.

critical vulnerability

Focuses on the vulnerability aspect, highlighting the weakness that leads to failure.

single point of control failure

Focuses on the control aspect, where a failure in the one controller leads to overall system failure.

single point of compromise

Emphasizes the security aspect, where a breach at one point leads to overall system compromise.

single point of attack

Focuses on the entry point in a system that, if attacked, can compromise the entire system.

weakest link

Highlights the weakest component in a system that determines overall system strength.

bottleneck

Focuses on the point where progress is impeded or stopped, leading to system failure.

Achilles' heel

Uses a metaphorical weakness that, if exploited, can lead to defeat.

FAQs

How can I avoid a "single point of failure" in my system design?

Implement redundancy by duplicating critical components, use distributed architectures, and ensure automatic failover mechanisms are in place. Regularly test these systems to validate their resilience.

What are some alternatives to saying "single point of failure"?

You can use alternatives such as "critical vulnerability", "weakest link", or "bottleneck" depending on the context.

Why is identifying a "single point of failure" important?

Identifying a "single point of failure" is crucial for risk management and system reliability. Addressing these vulnerabilities can prevent total system shutdowns and minimize potential damages.

Is it always possible to eliminate every "single point of failure"?

While it's ideal to eliminate all "single point of failure", it's not always feasible due to cost or complexity. Prioritize the most critical components and systems, and implement robust monitoring to detect and mitigate potential failures.