when everything else fails

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when everything else fails" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a last resort or an action taken when all other options have been exhausted. Example: "When everything else fails, we can always rely on our backup plan to get us through the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

(I don't read a manual even when everything else fails).

The New York Times - Books

When everything else fails... just bear and grin it... the spirit should never die".

The New York Times

But that is our sojourn in America: when everything else fails us, we still have the Lord.

Huffington Post

When everything else fails, try clippers.

WikiHow

They are the last line of defense when everything else fails so they need to be cool under pressure too.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

("It was good to eat when everything else failed").

The New York Times

Biographer Everett Kimball wrote of Dudley, "... in spite of his failings of temper he possessed a good deal of tact and personal charm, by which, when everything else failed, he could sometimes transform an enemy into a friend".

Wikipedia

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Vice

CALGARY, Canada — When most everything else failed Wednesday night in the Ducks' worst meltdown loss of the season, a bare assessment of the situation was pure perfection.

Los Angeles Times

"If I fail, and businesses like mine fail, then everything else fails".

The New York Times

If everything else fails, just laugh about it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when everything else fails" to clearly indicate that the described action is a last resort, taken only after all other possibilities have been tried. This adds emphasis to the situation's urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "when everything else fails" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and melodramatic. Instead, vary your language by using alternatives like "as a last resort" or "if all else fails".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when everything else fails" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying a verb by providing a condition or circumstance under which an action is taken. It indicates that the action described is a last resort, employed only after all other options have been tried and exhausted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

31%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when everything else fails" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that indicates a final resort or action taken after all other options have been exhausted. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. While the phrase is not extremely common, appearing with "Uncommon" frequency, it’s versatile and appropriate for various contexts, including news, general writing, and even scientific discussions. As a best practice, use it to emphasize the urgency or contingency of a situation. Be mindful of overuse, and consider alternatives such as "as a last resort" to avoid repetition. Key sources include The New York Times, Huffington Post, and WikiHow, showing its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a last resort

Focuses on the action being the final option.

if all else fails

A conditional phrase indicating a backup plan.

if there is no other way

Emphasizes the lack of alternatives leading to a decision.

when all options are exhausted

Highlights the lack of alternatives.

as a final measure

Implies a deliberate, last-ditch effort.

as a desperate measure

Highlights the desperation behind the action.

in the worst-case scenario

Emphasizes the negative circumstances leading to the action.

in extremis

A more formal, Latinate way to express a desperate situation.

at the eleventh hour

Focuses on the timing of the last resort.

when push comes to shove

An informal way to describe a critical moment.

FAQs

How can I use "when everything else fails" in a sentence?

You can use "when everything else fails" to introduce a final course of action taken after all other options have been exhausted. For example, "When everything else fails, we can rely on our emergency fund."

What is a good alternative to "when everything else fails"?

Alternatives include "as a last resort", "if all else fails", or "in the worst case scenario".

Is it grammatically correct to say "when everything else fails"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is widely used in English.

What's the difference between "when everything else fails" and "if all else fails"?

Both phrases indicate a final option. "When everything else fails" emphasizes the point at which other methods have been tried and failed, while "if all else fails" sets a condition for a specific action to be taken.