tends to fail

USAGE SUMMARY

"tends to fail" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a pattern of tendency, often with the implication that the result will be undesirable. For example, "Unfortunately, the new policy tends to fail whenever it is implemented in a large system."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

And that third-party software tends to fail.

The Guardian - Tech

(Of course, when that sort of tradition-based mutual respect fails, it tends to fail catastrophically).

The Economist

You lose track of time in there and also your hearing tends to fail, especially when it comes to picking up anguished banging on the door.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The High Line, incidentally, provides an ideal platform for public art that importunes without annoying — unlike most of its kind today, which tends to fail as civic symbolism or as art, if not both.

The New Yorker

What is less obvious is that when the law-and-order machine goes to work on those things which it can touch, it also tends to fail, in a way that, generally speaking, doctors will not.

The Guardian

That's where Comcast tends to fail.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Connoisseurs tend to fail to do so.

The New Yorker

Big things tend to fail more".

The New York Times

"When they fail, they tend to fail catastrophically".

The New York Times

This is why multisided oppositions tend to fail.

The New York Times

Even mild gun-control laws tend to fail.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tends to fail" to describe systems, methods, or approaches that have a demonstrated history of not achieving the desired outcome. For example, "This type of algorithm tends to fail with highly complex data sets."

Common error

Avoid using "tends to fail" as an absolute statement. Instead, qualify the tendency by specifying the conditions under which failure is more likely. For example, instead of saying "This design tends to fail", say "This design tends to fail under high stress conditions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tends to fail" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing a subject's likelihood of not succeeding. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tends to fail" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates a strong likelihood of non-success. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in science and news media, to express negative predictions or assessments. While versatile, it's important to qualify the tendency and avoid overgeneralization. Consider alternatives like "is prone to failure" or "is likely to falter" for specific nuances, and remember that this expression implies a high probability but not a certainty of failure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is prone to failure

Emphasizes a susceptibility to failure.

is likely to falter

Suggests a weakening or unsteady progression leading to failure.

has a high failure rate

Highlights the statistical probability of failure.

is susceptible to breakdown

Focuses on the potential for structural or functional collapse.

is apt to collapse

Indicates a strong likelihood of a sudden and complete failure.

often goes wrong

Emphasizes the frequency of undesirable outcomes.

is wont to malfunction

Implies a habitual tendency to operate incorrectly.

is predisposed to error

Suggests an inherent inclination toward mistakes or failure.

carries a risk of failing

Highlights the inherent uncertainty and chance of non-success.

is at risk of not succeeding

A more descriptive and less direct way of expressing potential failure.

FAQs

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

Use "tends to fail" to indicate a high probability of not succeeding, often due to inherent weaknesses or specific circumstances. For instance, "The old bridge "tends to fail" during heavy storms".

What are some alternatives to "tends to fail"?

Alternatives include "is prone to failure", "is likely to falter", or "has a high failure rate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "tends to fail" in formal writing?

Yes, "tends to fail" is appropriate in formal writing. However, consider more precise alternatives if the context requires a higher degree of specificity. For instance, in scientific writing, "is likely to falter" may be better.

What's the difference between "tends to fail" and "always fails"?

"Tends to fail" suggests a strong probability of failure but does not guarantee it. "Always fails" indicates that failure is inevitable. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to express. So using "always fails" shows that there are no exceptions.