would fail

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would fail" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when expressing a hypothetical situation. For example, "If I did not study, I would fail the test".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And it would fail.

The Guardian - Music

I would fail!

Independent

Even then it would fail.

The New York Times

They thought she would fail".

The Economist

Any transplant would fail.

The Guardian

But that would fail.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even so, some airlines would fail.

The Economist

If they did, that business would fail".

The New Yorker

Lots of males would fail to reproduce.

The Economist

Six banks would fail this test.

The Economist

Who would fail to secure our borders?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would fail" to describe hypothetical scenarios or potential outcomes that you anticipate might not succeed. For clarity, ensure the context establishes the condition or situation leading to the potential failure.

Common error

Avoid using "would fail" when referring to past, definite failures. Instead, use "failed". "Would fail" indicates a hypothetical or conditional future within the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would fail" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a hypothetical or conditional outcome. It indicates what would happen (fail) under specific circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "would fail" is a common and grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to express hypothetical or conditional outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide usage. It's versatile enough for both formal and informal contexts, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and business writing. When using "would fail", ensure the context clearly establishes the conditions leading to the potential failure. Avoid misusing the phrase to describe definite past failures; "failed" is more appropriate in such cases. Exploring semantically related alternatives like "is destined to falter" or "might not work out" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is destined to falter

Emphasizes an inevitable negative outcome, suggesting a preordained failure.

risks not succeeding

Emphasizes the element of risk and the potential for failure.

is likely to collapse

Highlights a sudden and complete breakdown or failure.

faces likely defeat

Focuses on the confrontation aspect and the high probability of losing.

is on track to backfire

Indicates that an action is going to bring negative and unwanted consequences.

is doomed to crash

Suggests an inevitable and catastrophic failure.

is apt to breakdown

Suggests a susceptibility to failure due to inherent weaknesses.

runs the risk of being unsuccessful

Highlights the possibility of not achieving the desired outcome.

might not work out

A more casual way of expressing potential failure or lack of success.

has little prospect of triumphing

Indicates a low probability of success or victory.

FAQs

How can I use "would fail" in a sentence?

Use "would fail" to describe a hypothetical situation in the past or present. For example, "If the backup generator had not kicked in, the server "would fail"."

What's a more formal way to say "would fail"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "is destined to falter" or "is likely to collapse" depending on the nuances you want to convey. These phrases convey a similar meaning to "would fail" but in more sophisticated way.

What are some alternatives to "would fail" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, alternatives include phrases like "is destined to falter", "is likely to collapse", or "might not work out".

Is it correct to use "would fail" in the present tense?

Yes, it is correct to use "would fail" in the present tense when describing a hypothetical or conditional situation. For example, "If we don't address these issues, the project "would fail"".