a definite weakness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a definite weakness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a specific flaw or shortcoming in a person, system, or argument. Example: "One of the team's challenges is a definite weakness in communication, which affects overall productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Health

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A definite weakness.

The New York Times - Health

I think the team's decent but we've got a big problem at right back, I think Glen Johnson is a definite weakness.

The Guardian - Sport

Allison added: "A definite weakness of last year's car was that the amount of electrical energy we were able to recover from the turbo was not really good enough for producing competitive power levels during the race.

BBC

It would be a definite weakness if the purpose had been to compare the different countries, but this was not the case: Eurolight's endeavour was aimed at estimating the impact of headache in Europe and, from that point of view, the mix of methods was not undesirable.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A definite weakness of this study is the need for the daily subcutaneous injection of liraglutide.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I would choose the exercise group because they have definite weakness and you can see benefits of them going to an exercise group and when you hear the feedback from people going to exercise groups it might be that I'm sure it has, it reduces their fear of falling and it might not but they are much more confident, they're going outside, they're going on walks, it's really changed their lives".

BMC Health Services Research

Baum believes England have definite weaknesses: "[Graeme] Swann lost much of his aura, and [Steve] Finn was reduced to a shambling wreck, meaning Anderson had to bowl more than he should, and England may pay a price later in the series".

The Guardian - Sport

Callandra Cochrane of Citizens for Public Justice said that such a plan "has become an imperative in order to ensure the protection of victims and effectively combat human trafficking," but that Smith's proposal had "definite weaknesses that need to be strengthened".

Wikipedia

A definite assessment of "what works" was not possible due to limitations in the effectiveness of most interventions and weakness of the study design [ 17].

BMC Health Services Research

That is a definite.

The Guardian

It's a definite improvement.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a definite weakness", ensure the context clearly indicates what the weakness pertains to. Provide specific examples or details to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a definite weakness" to describe minor or trivial issues. Reserve it for situations where the weakness has a significant impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a definite weakness" functions as a noun phrase, where "definite" modifies the noun "weakness". It serves to identify and emphasize a specific flaw or vulnerability. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Health

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a definite weakness" is a grammatically sound phrase used to clearly identify a specific flaw or vulnerability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively rare in overall usage, it appears most frequently in news, scientific, and health-related contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the weakness and avoid using it for trivial issues. Alternatives include "a clear vulnerability" or "a significant flaw", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant flaw

Substitutes "weakness" with "flaw", emphasizing a defect or imperfection.

a clear vulnerability

Replaces "weakness" with "vulnerability", emphasizing susceptibility to harm or attack.

a critical failing

Substitutes "weakness" with "failing", emphasizing a failure or inability to function effectively.

a distinct disadvantage

Substitutes "weakness" with "disadvantage", highlighting the unfavorable position created by the flaw.

a pronounced vulnerability

Emphasizes the noticeable nature of the vulnerability, similar to a clear weakness.

a major shortcoming

Replaces "weakness" with "shortcoming", highlighting an inadequacy or failure to meet a certain standard.

an obvious limitation

Replaces "weakness" with "limitation", focusing on a restriction or constraint.

a notable deficiency

Replaces "weakness" with "deficiency", focusing on the lack of something essential.

a conspicuous imperfection

Highlights the noticeable nature of the imperfection, akin to a definite flaw.

a patent frailty

Substitutes "weakness" with "frailty", suggesting physical or moral weakness that is easily apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "a definite weakness" in a sentence?

You can use "a definite weakness" to point out a specific vulnerability or flaw. For instance, "The team's lack of experience is "a definite weakness" as they enter the playoffs."

What are some alternatives to "a definite weakness"?

Alternatives include "a clear vulnerability", "a significant flaw", or "a notable deficiency". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "definite weakness" or "clear weakness"?

Both "definite weakness" and "clear weakness" are acceptable. "Definite" emphasizes certainty, while "clear" emphasizes ease of perception. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight. You can also use obvious weakness

In what contexts is "a definite weakness" most appropriate?

"A definite weakness" is suitable in formal and informal contexts when you need to clearly identify a specific flaw or vulnerability, like in sports analysis, product reviews, or personal assessments.