a fundamental flaw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental flaw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or essential defect in a system, argument, or design. Example: "The study's conclusions were undermined by a fundamental flaw in its methodology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's a fundamental flaw".

The Guardian

Foster saw this as a fundamental flaw.

The New York Times - Magazine

Critics, however, see a fundamental flaw in the reform model.

The Economist

This isn't a fundamental flaw of the flash mob.

The Guardian - Opinion

For workers, that is a fundamental flaw in today's economy.

The New York Times

"This is a fundamental flaw in the study.

The Guardian

SB: That's a fundamental flaw in the system.

The Guardian - Tech

These proposals are intended to address a fundamental flaw in money market funds.

The New York Times

The question of Pakistan's future is complicated by a fundamental flaw in the political system.

The New Yorker

For others, the lack of a binding energy-efficiency target represented a fundamental flaw.

The New York Times

He said the incident was a reminder of a fundamental flaw with e-mail technology.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a fundamental flaw" when the issue affects the entire structure or system under discussion; otherwise, consider using "a minor issue".

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental flaw" when describing minor or easily rectifiable issues. Overusing the phrase dilutes its impact and suggests a more severe problem than exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental flaw" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It identifies a significant defect or weakness. Ludwig AI supports this, showing the phrase used across various contexts to pinpoint critical issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a fundamental flaw" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression to denote a significant defect. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals that it is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science contexts, underlining its relevance in critical assessments. While usable across registers, it's particularly apt for formal and professional discourse. To avoid overstating issues, it's important to reserve "a fundamental flaw" for truly critical shortcomings that affect core functions. Consider alternatives like "a critical defect" or "a key weakness" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a critical defect

Replaces "fundamental" with "critical", emphasizing the severity of the flaw.

a basic fault

Substitutes "fundamental" with "basic" and "flaw" with "fault", indicating a simple yet crucial error.

a key weakness

Replaces "fundamental flaw" with "key weakness", focusing on an important vulnerability.

a major deficiency

Uses "major deficiency" to express a significant lack or inadequacy.

a significant error

Replaces "fundamental flaw" with "significant error", highlighting a notable mistake.

a central problem

Replaces "fundamental flaw" with "central problem", focusing on the main issue.

a primary shortcoming

Substitutes "fundamental flaw" with "primary shortcoming", pointing out a basic limitation.

a crucial oversight

Uses "crucial oversight" to emphasize a critical error of omission.

a serious imperfection

Replaces "fundamental flaw" with "serious imperfection", highlighting a grave defect.

a fatal weakness

Substitutes "fundamental" with "fatal", implying the flaw is catastrophic.

FAQs

How can I use "a fundamental flaw" in a sentence?

You can use "a fundamental flaw" to point out a significant defect in a system, argument, or design. For example, "The project failed because of "a fundamental flaw" in its planning phase."

What's the difference between "a fundamental flaw" and "a minor issue"?

"A fundamental flaw" refers to a significant defect that undermines the core structure or function of something, whereas "a minor issue" is a small, easily fixable problem that does not critically affect the overall integrity.

What can I say instead of "a fundamental flaw"?

You can use alternatives like "a critical defect", "a key weakness", or "a major deficiency" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the fundamental flaw" instead of "a fundamental flaw"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a fundamental flaw" is used when you are introducing a general concept or one of many flaws. "The fundamental flaw" implies you are referring to a specific, already identified flaw that is central to the discussion.