a flawed start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flawed start" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an initial phase or beginning that has issues or problems. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced during the project, we learned valuable lessons from a flawed start."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The best show of the year, "Orange Is the New Black," another radical amalgam of comedy and drama, had a flawed start that kept it off too many radars.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Critics say this is never reached in the real world, so is a flawed starting point.

The Economist

However, the ravages of pursuing such a flawed policy have started to arrive.

Forbes

"If they start doing it, even in a flawed manner, it will start a process that will move, perhaps slowly, toward more reasonable scores," said Kevin A. Hassett, an economist at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative research group.

The New York Times

"It was a flawed argument from the start.

The Guardian

"The revised agreement only reinforces my position that this was a flawed deal from the start," said City Comptroller William C. Thompson Jr., whose representative voted no.

The New York Times

But the problem for Democrats is that Christie - although he had broader bipartisan appeal than most Republicans - was a flawed candidate from the start.

Huffington Post

But Kevin Slavin, a game developer who studies algorithms, says those sites are already starting from a flawed base.

The New York Times

It starts with a flawed database that everyone would have to rely on to get work or change jobs.

The New York Times

This package of bills starts from a flawed premise and proceeds to unfortunate conclusion by proposing major retreats in disclosure and corporate governance in order to encourage some additional IPOs.

Columbia University

It's a flawed program that Libby Zandbergen, who started Birds & Bees, an external provider that aims to revamp sex and wellness education in schools, wants to completely overhaul.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a flawed start", clearly identify the specific flaws or shortcomings that characterized the beginning to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something had "a flawed start" without specifying what made it flawed. Provide details about the initial problems or weaknesses to give your audience a clear understanding of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flawed start" functions as a noun phrase, where "flawed" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "start". Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound. It describes the nature or quality of the beginning phase of something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flawed start" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an initial phase characterized by imperfections or problems. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While relatively rare, it is predominantly found in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to provide specific details about the flaws to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "an imperfect beginning" or "a problematic outset" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. This phrase serves to set a negative context, implying potential challenges arising from the initial stage of an event or project.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an imperfect beginning

Replaces "flawed" with "imperfect", focusing on the lack of perfection rather than a major defect.

a problematic outset

Substitutes "flawed" with "problematic" and "start" with "outset", emphasizing the presence of problems from the beginning.

a shaky commencement

Replaces "flawed" with "shaky" and "start" with "commencement", highlighting instability at the beginning.

a deficient initiation

Replaces "flawed" with "deficient" and "start" with "initiation", pointing to a lack of something essential at the beginning.

a weak opening

Substitutes "flawed" with "weak" and "start" with "opening", emphasizing a lack of strength or effectiveness at the beginning.

a troubled launch

Replaces "flawed" with "troubled" and "start" with "launch", suggesting difficulties and problems during the initial phase.

an error-ridden kickoff

Replaces "flawed" with "error-ridden" and "start" with "kickoff", emphasizing the presence of errors from the very beginning.

a stumbling start

Uses "stumbling" to describe the start, suggesting an unsteady or awkward beginning.

a blighted inception

Replaces "flawed" with "blighted" and "start" with "inception", highlighting damage or decay from the beginning.

a compromised beginning

Substitutes "flawed" with "compromised", indicating that the start was weakened or impaired.

FAQs

How can I use "a flawed start" in a sentence?

You can use "a flawed start" to describe a project, initiative, or endeavor that experienced initial problems or shortcomings. For example, "The project had a flawed start due to inadequate planning."

What are some alternatives to saying "a flawed start"?

Alternatives include "an imperfect beginning", "a problematic outset", or "a shaky commencement", depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

Is it better to say "flawed start" or "imperfect start"?

"Flawed start" implies a more significant defect or problem, while "imperfect start" suggests a less severe lack of perfection. The choice depends on the magnitude of the issues at the beginning.

What does it mean to describe something as having "a flawed start"?

To say something had "a flawed start" means it began with noticeable problems, weaknesses, or defects that hindered its initial progress or success.