a great flaw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great flaw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant defect or imperfection in something, such as a plan, argument, or character. Example: "The novel's plot had a great flaw that made it difficult for readers to connect with the characters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"And have poor eyesight, a great flaw, like their parents".

The New York Times

This is a great flaw in the liberal vision, because whatever role government plays in prosperity, transfer payments are not a sufficient foundation for middle-class success.

The New York Times

This decentering of the human can become a devaluing of the human; the museum may even begin to see human frailties as a great flaw in the cosmic order that must be repaired.

The New York Times - Arts

A great flaw to dissect the biological mechanisms by genome sequencing is that genome sequencing approach could not reflect real-time molecular actions of plants especially under the stresses because the living organisms rarely live in unchanging environments.

Journal of Integrative Agriculture

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Godfather had a greater flaw revealed in his 10th and final Golden Rule for Success..

Huffington Post

This is his fifth film and it's by now apparent that his great flaw as a director is what makes him interesting as a movie star: he disdains conflict as a means of generating drama.

The Guardian - Film

The real Hitchcock's great flaw, apparently, was that he was at once a genius and a private man, a combination that has allowed some writers and filmmakers to have their insultingly imaginative way with him.

The New York Times

As a leader, this messianic style has often been Gingrich's great flaw.

The New York Times

Günter Grass had one great flaw: his self-righteous moralism.

The Guardian - Books

"And it's her great flaw, it's what killed health care".

The New Yorker

There was still another great flaw: the empire was half Roman (or Latin), half Greek.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great flaw", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being evaluated and why the identified flaw is significant. For instance, "The plan's great flaw was its unrealistic timeline."

Common error

Avoid using "a great flaw" to describe minor or inconsequential issues. Ensure the flaw truly has a significant impact on the subject being discussed. Reserve it for substantial shortcomings that critically affect the outcome or functionality. For example, it's better to say "a minor issue" instead of "a great flaw" to describe something that is easily fixed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great flaw" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a significant imperfection. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples showcasing its use in various contexts, indicating a defect that is considerable in scale or impact.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great flaw" is a noun phrase used to denote a significant imperfection or weakness. Ludwig AI analysis shows it’s considered grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While not exceedingly common, it's used to emphasize a notable deficiency that critically impacts the subject being discussed. To avoid overstatement, it's best used for substantial shortcomings that significantly affect the outcome or functionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant defect

Emphasizes the presence of a notable imperfection.

a major shortcoming

Highlights a deficiency or inadequacy of considerable importance.

a critical failing

Points to a failure that has serious consequences.

a fundamental weakness

Indicates a core or basic vulnerability.

a serious imperfection

Stresses the gravity of the flaw.

a profound deficiency

Indicates a deep and significant lack.

a substantial fault

Highlights a noteworthy error or defect.

a glaring imperfection

Emphasizes that the flaw is obvious and easily noticeable.

a considerable disadvantage

Focuses on the limiting aspect of the flaw.

a crippling limitation

Highlights the severely restrictive effect of the flaw.

FAQs

What does "a great flaw" mean?

The phrase "a great flaw" refers to a significant defect, weakness, or imperfection in something, such as a plan, a character, or a system. It implies that the flaw has a considerable negative impact.

What are some alternatives to "a great flaw"?

Alternatives include "a significant defect", "a major shortcoming", or "a critical failing", depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "a great flaw" to point out a major weakness in something. For example, "The "greatest flaw" of the argument is that it relies on outdated information" or "The design had "a major flaw" that made it unusable".

Is it more appropriate to say "a great flaw" or "a major flaw"?

Both "a great flaw" and "a major flaw" are acceptable, but they may carry slightly different connotations. "Great" emphasizes the significance or impact of the flaw, while "major" simply indicates it is large or important. The best choice depends on the specific context and the intended emphasis.