a flawed system

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a flawed system" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a system that has defects or shortcomings, often in contexts related to organizations, processes, or technologies. Example: "The recent report highlighted the issues within the organization, emphasizing that it operates under a flawed system that needs reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My therapist validates my emotions and reminds me that I'm mostly struggling against a flawed system, not with a personality flaw.

Nature

The Confidence Gap does not just refer to a personality flaw, it's also a reflection of a flawed system.

Huffington Post

It's a flawed system".

The New York Times - Sports

It's a flawed system, in my opinion".

The New York Times - Sports

"Value-added assessments are a flawed system," Mr. Duffy said.

The New York Times

since Facebook, is nonetheless hurtling forward, highlighting a flawed system.

The New York Times

"This is a flawed system that needs reform.

The Economist

A Flawed System Not everyone is as happy.

The New York Times

But others had taken deliberate advantage of a flawed system.

The New Yorker

Chief Louie, who has learnt how to navigate a flawed system, won his tenth consecutive term.

The Economist

In a flawed system, imposing death upon the convicted simply sets the stakes too high.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "a flawed system" with a descriptive clause explaining the system's shortcomings, such as "a flawed system that consistently produces inaccurate results."

Common error

Avoid using "a flawed system" without providing specific examples or evidence of its flaws. Broad statements can weaken your argument and leave room for misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a flawed system" acts as a noun phrase, typically functioning as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It identifies a system and qualifies it with the adjective "flawed", indicating a state of imperfection. As per Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a flawed system" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to describe an imperfect or deficient structure, process, or set of rules. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for use in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, followed by academic and scientific writing. While the phrase carries a generally negative connotation, it serves the important communicative purpose of identifying issues and suggesting the need for improvement. When using this phrase, it is best practice to provide specific examples of the system's flaws to avoid overgeneralization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a defective process

Focuses on the malfunctioning aspect of a procedure, rather than a broad system.

an imperfect setup

Highlights the incomplete or less-than-ideal arrangement of elements.

a deficient structure

Emphasizes the lack of necessary components or strength in the framework.

a faulty mechanism

Points to a specific part that isn't working correctly within a larger whole.

a broken framework

Implies a state of disrepair or collapse within the established guidelines.

a compromised arrangement

Suggests that the system's integrity has been negatively affected.

a sub-optimal method

Indicates that the approach used is not producing the best possible results.

an inadequate infrastructure

Highlights the insufficiency of the supporting base or organization.

a questionable approach

Focuses on the reliability and potential risks of the selected method.

a problematic setup

Emphasizes that the arrangement presents difficulties or issues.

FAQs

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

You can use "a flawed system" to describe any structure or process that has significant weaknesses or shortcomings. For instance, "The company's performance review process is "a flawed system" that fails to recognize individual contributions effectively".

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

Alternatives include "an imperfect system", "a defective system", or "a deficient structure", depending on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it always negative to describe something as "a flawed system"?

Yes, describing something as "a flawed system" typically carries a negative connotation, implying that the system has problems that need to be addressed. However, it can also be a starting point for constructive criticism and improvement.

What makes a system "flawed"?

A system can be considered "flawed" if it consistently produces undesirable outcomes, has inherent inefficiencies, is prone to errors, or fails to meet its intended goals. The specific flaws can vary greatly depending on the nature of the system.