the mechanism failed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the mechanism failed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing a situation in which a device or system did not operate as intended. Example: "After several tests, we concluded that the mechanism failed to perform its function, leading to the project's delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(The mechanism failed). While the family were celebrating Karl Bonhoeffer's 75th birthday, the Nazis were planning to arrest those involved in the conspiracy, including von Dohnanyi and Bonhoeffer.

The Telegraph

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But when the mechanism fails, those failures can tell you a lot about how the mind works".

The Guardian

By and large, their capacity will be inadequate long before the mechanism fails.

The Economist

The splitting of flocs is not defined simply by a frequency since the mechanism fails once the remaining flocs are resistant to the most severe disruptive forces available in the system.

Chemical Engineering Science

Therefore, the mechanism fails step 1, so the judgment procedure is terminated and this RDWM candidate is eliminated.

ROBOMECH Journal

You can put your finger in the flapping wings as they flap and it won't hurt you… And also with a quadcopter drone, if any of the mechanism fails it falls out of the sky like a brick.

TechCrunch

Despite Facebook being the focus of the legal complaint, the case has much wider significance given scores of other companies also make use of SCCs to authorize transatlantic data flows — which means that should the mechanism fail, many businesses, not just Facebook, will need to change how they operate in order to comply with European law.

TechCrunch

Moreover, the active site architecture for the proposed Ser288 acylation is entirely unprecedented compared to that of canonical Ser proteases, and the mechanism fails to account for protonation of the amine leaving group.

Biochemistry

If one of the mechanisms fails, for instance due to stunning, an animal will become unconscious (Adams and Sheridan, 2008).

Animal

Alexander fled to the garage but says the door mechanism failed so she couldn't escape.

The Guardian - Opinion

During one performance the scenery mechanism failed, which forced him to improvise for the first time.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the mechanism failed" when a specific component or system designed for a particular function did not perform as expected. This phrasing is suitable for technical or analytical contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "the mechanism failed" in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "it didn't work" or "it broke down" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the mechanism failed" typically functions as a statement describing a malfunction or cessation of operation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. The phrase indicates that a specific component or system did not perform as intended.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the mechanism failed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a malfunction or cessation of operation. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is suitable for written English. It is most commonly found in technical, news, and general contexts, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian using it. While versatile, it's advisable to use simpler alternatives in informal settings. The phrase is a concise way to convey that a specific component or system did not perform as intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the system malfunctioned

Replaces 'mechanism' with 'system', indicating a broader scope of failure.

the device broke down

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the idea of a non-functional device.

the equipment stopped working

Uses common and straightforward language to indicate a halt in operation.

the apparatus ceased to function

Employs more formal language to describe the cessation of functionality.

the machinery is inoperable

Replaces the active voice with a passive construction, emphasizing the state of being inoperable.

the component failed

Focuses on a specific part ('component') within a larger system that is not working.

the process went wrong

Shifts the focus from the physical mechanism to the failure of a process.

the procedure did not work

Highlights that a particular method or procedure was unsuccessful.

the tool became unusable

Focuses on the consequence of the failure, emphasizing the lack of usability.

the engine stalled

Specifically refers to an engine ceasing to operate, indicating a particular type of failure.

FAQs

What does "the mechanism failed" mean?

The phrase "the mechanism failed" means that a particular device, system, or process did not function as intended or ceased to operate correctly. It implies a breakdown or malfunction.

How can I use "the mechanism failed" in a sentence?

You can use "the mechanism failed" to describe the malfunction of a specific component or system. For example, "During the experiment, "the safety mechanism failed", causing a delay".

What can I say instead of "the mechanism failed"?

You can use alternatives like "the system malfunctioned", "the device broke down", or "the equipment stopped working" depending on the context.

Is "the mechanism failed" formal or informal?

"The mechanism failed" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for technical reports, news articles, or analytical writing. Simpler phrases are better for casual conversation.