starting to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starting to fail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a process that is in the early stages of deteriorating. For example: "The economy is starting to fail, with many businesses closing their doors in recent months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

My heart was starting to fail.

The Guardian

Although the science payload was working perfectly, the spacecraft's attitude control system was starting to fail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Doctors can learn immediately if devices are malfunctioning or if patients' hearts are starting to fail.

The New York Times - Health

The possibility that the sinks are starting to fail is a real and worrying one.

The Economist

I think probably my organs were starting to fail at that point.

The Guardian

His kidneys were starting to fail, and anything that might delay dialysis would be a major victory.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Conventional bulk CMOS scaling starts to fail.

Materials Science and Engineering: B

"Everything started to fail," she said.

The New York Times

Then his kidneys started to fail.

The New Yorker

In the 1990's Souleiado started to fail financially.

The New York Times - Arts

By then, his hearing and memory had started to fail.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a gradual process of decline, use "starting to fail" to convey that the deterioration is in its early stages. This can be more nuanced than simply saying something "failed".

Common error

Avoid using "starting to fail" to describe sudden or catastrophic failures. This phrase implies a gradual decline, so use more appropriate language like "failed instantly" or "collapsed" when the failure is abrupt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting to fail" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a negative process. As shown by Ludwig, it describes the initiation of deterioration or malfunction in various contexts, such as health, systems, or structures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

17%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "starting to fail" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the initial stages of decline or malfunction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as in scientific discussions. While its register is neutral, it's crucial to avoid using it for sudden events, as it implies a gradual process. Alternatives like "beginning to decline" or "showing signs of failure" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "starting to fail" is a useful phrase for conveying the onset of deterioration in a clear and informative manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning to break down

Emphasizes the physical or functional deterioration of something.

beginning to deteriorate

Focuses on the gradual worsening of condition or quality.

starting to decline

Highlights a downward trend or decrease in performance.

starting to weaken

Suggests a loss of strength or effectiveness.

beginning to malfunction

Specifically refers to the impaired or abnormal functioning of a system or device.

starting to underperform

Indicates a failure to meet expected standards or levels of output.

beginning to crumble

Implies a slow disintegration or collapse, often in a figurative sense.

showing signs of failure

Highlights the observable indicators that something is not working as intended.

on the verge of collapse

Expresses that something is extremely close to failing.

starting to give way

Suggests that something is losing its structural integrity and is about to break or collapse.

FAQs

What does "starting to fail" mean?

The phrase "starting to fail" indicates that something is in the initial stages of declining, deteriorating, or malfunctioning. It suggests a process that has begun but is not yet complete.

How can I use "starting to fail" in a sentence?

You can use "starting to fail" to describe anything from a person's health to a mechanical device. For example, "Her memory is "starting to fail"" or "The engine is "starting to fail"".

What are some alternatives to "starting to fail"?

Some alternatives include "beginning to decline", "starting to weaken", or "showing signs of failure", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "starting to fail" and "beginning to fail"?

The phrases "starting to fail" and "beginning to fail" are largely interchangeable. Both convey the same idea of something entering an initial stage of decline.