the failure of which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the failure of which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer back to a previously mentioned subject or object, indicating that the failure pertains to that subject or object. Example: "The project was a significant undertaking, the failure of which could have serious consequences for the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

America cannot prevail through the mere deployment of superior wealth and military power, the failure of which is manifest.

The Guardian - Opinion

Stability of all slopes, both natural and artificial, the failure of which could adversely affect the nuclear power plant, shall be considered.

Cornell University

As soon as 19 September 1939, he raised an interest in interrupting Norwegian supplies of iron ore to Germany, the failure of which would perversely propel him into power.

University of California, Berkeley

Romero hasn't been a design lead on an FPS since the ill-fated Daikatana in 2000 – a story in its own right, the failure of which left his reputation in tatters.

The Guardian - Tech

Some of the bolt failures have occurred in "blow-out preventers", the failure of which was responsible for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico – the largest oil spill in history, also at a BP well.

The Guardian

He pursued the detainee policy that has kept al-Qaida recruitment alive and he pushed for the same privatization of social security, the failure of which is commonly held to be George Bush's most obvious domestic misstep.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

She will want to hear about the failures of which you grew from.

HuffPost

His downfall was triggered by the failure of Kingfisher Airlines, which he launched in 2005.

The Guardian

The police are holding the men at the request of magistrates who are investigating the circumstances of the failure of Parmalat, which sought protection from creditors earlier this month.

The New York Times

The failure of "Valentine," which ran on CW last fall, also about gods of classical mythology matchmaking in the modern world, would seem to have already invalidated this thesis.

The New York Times - Arts

"This symbolizes magnificently the failure of socialism, which succeeds in chasing away all talented people," proclaimed Patrick Devedjian, the spokesman for France's Rally for the Republic party.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the failure of which" to clearly link a consequence to a specific previously mentioned event or system failure. This provides clarity in complex explanations.

Common error

Ensure the clause introduced by "the failure of which" is placed immediately after the noun it modifies to avoid ambiguity. Incorrect placement can lead to unintended interpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the failure of which" functions as a relative clause, connecting a preceding noun phrase to a subsequent clause that describes the consequences of that noun phrase's failure. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the failure of which" is a grammatically sound phrase used to establish a causal link between something's failure and its subsequent consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. While precise, consider more direct alternatives like "because it failed" in less formal settings. Pay attention to modifier placement for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whose failure

Replaces the entire phrase with a possessive pronoun, creating a more concise sentence structure.

the breakdown of which

Substitutes "failure" with "breakdown", emphasizing a process ceasing to function correctly.

the collapse of which

Replaces "failure" with "collapse", suggesting a sudden and complete loss of function or structure.

due to its failure

Rephrases to directly state the cause, attributing an outcome to a specific failure.

because it failed

Provides a more direct causal connection, stating the reason for a subsequent event.

the malfunction of which

Uses "malfunction" instead of "failure", specifying a problem with functionality.

resulting from its failure

Emphasizes the consequence of the failure, framing it as a direct cause.

the deficiency of which

Replaces "failure" with "deficiency", highlighting a lack or inadequacy.

the inadequacy of which

Similar to "deficiency", but stresses the insufficient nature of something.

in consequence of its failure

A more formal way of expressing causation due to failure.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the failure of which" for brevity?

You can often use "whose failure" for a more concise alternative. For example, instead of "The system's design, the failure of which led to the crash", you could say "The system whose failure led to the crash".

Is "the failure of which" always the best choice, or are there better alternatives?

While grammatically correct, alternatives like "due to its failure" or "because it failed" might offer more directness and clarity, depending on the context.

What's the difference between "the failure of which" and "the success of which"?

"The failure of which" refers to a negative outcome stemming from something not working as intended. In contrast, "the success of which" refers to a positive outcome resulting from something working as intended.

When should I use "the failure of which" in formal writing?

Use "the failure of which" when you need to clearly and formally connect a cause (failure) to its effect, especially in technical or analytical writing. For a less formal tone, consider alternatives like "because it failed".