which were failing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which were failing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition where something was not functioning properly in the past. Example: "The systems in place, which were failing, needed immediate attention to prevent further issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The man's kidneys, which were failing at the time of the implant, are functioning normally, Dr. Gray said.

The New York Times

Those worries grew in recent days when Iceland seized its three major banks, which were failing, and appeared to guarantee the deposits of Icelanders over those of foreigners.

The New York Times

It is also what the governments of Norway and Sweden did with many of their biggest banks — which were failing after financing real-estate booms — and shortly afterward those economies were again growing vigorously.

The New Yorker

Jack Straw inherited a police service which was detecting fewer crimes, courts which were clogged with delays, fines which were not being collected, community sentences which were not being served and overcrowded prisons which were failing to change the behaviour of prisoners.

The Guardian

To guard against personal bias in continuous assessment, student evaluations would need to be summed from the views of several teachers – but university interviewers would quickly see which sets of teachers were over-stating their evaluations, and which were failing to recognise talent.

The Guardian

Ministers said they wanted to remove qualifications which were failing to equip students for a job or university, but admitted that the majority of stand-alone BTecs and City and Guilds qualifications were likely to be scrapped, while their most successful modules are absorbed into the new diplomas to be taught from September.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The government had already bailed out Bear Sterns, and it had helped Merrill Lynch, which was failing as well, and they decided not to bail everybody out, so they let Lehman Brothers fail.

Yale University

Which are failing, by the way, occasionally catastrophically.

The Washington Post

There is gloom over the economy, which is failing to create jobs.

The Economist

So we're going to have a much better plan than ObamaCare, which is failing.

The Washington Post

In New Orleans, he would manage 23 schools directly, 22 of which are failing, as well as oversee 64 charter schools.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which were failing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is doing the failing and why. Provide enough information for the reader to understand the nature and consequences of the failure.

Common error

Ensure that the antecedent of "which" is clear and unambiguous. Avoid placing "which were failing" too far from the noun it modifies, as this can lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which were failing" functions as a non-restrictive (or non-defining) relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies. As evidenced by Ludwig, it elaborates on the state of something without being crucial to the sentence's core meaning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which were failing" is a grammatically sound phrase used as a relative clause to provide additional context about something not functioning correctly. Ludwig AI indicates that it's most commonly found in news and media, science, and academic writing. While not overly formal, it’s important to ensure the antecedent is clear to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "that were malfunctioning" or "that were not working" can offer alternatives depending on the desired tone and emphasis. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and provides a useful way to add detail to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that were malfunctioning

Replaces "failing" with a more technical term, implying a mechanical or systematic problem.

that were not working

A simpler and more direct way of saying "which were failing", suitable for informal contexts.

that were proving unsuccessful

Focuses on the lack of success rather than the process of failing, implying a disappointing outcome.

that were proving inadequate

Highlights the insufficiency of something, suggesting it was not meeting the required standards.

that were in decline

Indicates a gradual deterioration or weakening, implying a longer-term problem.

that were collapsing

Suggests a sudden and dramatic failure, implying a more severe situation.

that were deteriorating

Emphasizes the worsening condition of something, highlighting the process of decay.

that were crumbling

Implies a slow disintegration, often used metaphorically to describe systems or institutions.

that were faltering

Suggests a hesitation or wavering, implying a loss of strength or momentum.

that were deficient

Emphasizes a lack of essential qualities or components, highlighting a fundamental flaw.

FAQs

How can I use "which were failing" in a sentence?

Use "which were failing" to add descriptive detail or provide additional information about something that was not functioning as expected. For example, "The old systems, "which were failing", needed to be replaced."

What's a more formal alternative to "which were failing"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "that were malfunctioning" or "that were proving inadequate". These alternatives convey a similar meaning but may be more appropriate in professional or academic contexts.

Is it always necessary to use "which" before "were failing"?

No, you can sometimes use "that" instead of "which", depending on the sentence structure and the intended emphasis. However, "which" is generally preferred when providing non-essential, additional information.

What is the difference between "which were failing" and "that failed"?

"Which were failing" implies an ongoing process of failure, while "that failed" suggests a completed event. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the duration or the result of the failure.