a key deficiency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key deficiency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight an important lack or shortcoming in a particular context, such as a report or analysis. Example: "The study revealed a key deficiency in the current educational curriculum that needs to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Such a shift would address a key deficiency of NCLB and would be responsive to the concerns of educators regarding personnel evaluation.

The Economist

This speaks to a key deficiency of the TAM, being its focus on cognition at the expense of consumer emotion.

Australasian Marketing Journal (AMJ)

In three patients with treatment resistant depression implanted with bilateral DBS electrodes in the nucleus accumbens, significant changes of brain metabolism were observed in frontostriatal networks, associated with improvements of anhedonia which is a key deficiency in refractory major depression [18].

Plosone

The institute indicated that: a) forward-thinking, creative and innovative solutions are absolutely essential for the future of our health care system; and b) the lack of integration of services has been identified as a key deficiency in the Canadian health care system.

BMC Health Services Research

However, a key deficiency of these approaches is that they rely heavily on high-throughput biological data like microarrays that only capture average behaviour of the genes and proteins in a large cell population from, e.g. a cell culture, a dissected tissue or even a homogenized whole animal.

Bioinformatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

We speculate that decreased maternal COMT activity would be beneficial by increasing the production of 2-ME by the placenta and that a placental loss of COMT activity is the key deficiency that contributes to the development of preeclampsia.

Plosone

And Alexa's key deficiency in the market right now is its inability to execute searches and answer questions.

TechCrunch

The key deficiency in process elements found in the tools reviewed with reference to the AMP principles related to the timeframes and level of resourcing required to achieve determined outcomes.

BMC Public Health

Consistent with previous reports from other jurisdictions [ 2, 20, 28], this study has identified non-availability of expertise and lack of a functional referral system as key deficiencies within the exiting PHC system, exacerbated by limited interconnections between BHU physicians and those providing higher, specialist levels of care.

Health Research Policy and Systems

These identified four key deficiencies and for each a program was implemented to resolve with the help of the ICLNs: 1. Help your doctors for excellence in Hand Hygiene: ICLNs reverse the low compliance amongst doctors, the accompanying nurses would squirt alcohol hand rub for them during ward rounds.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

Our examination found key deficiencies in New York's inspection system.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a key deficiency" to pinpoint a specific, important area needing improvement or correction in reports, analyses, or evaluations. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking and why it matters.

Common error

Avoid using "a key deficiency" for minor issues. Reserve it for substantial shortcomings that have a considerable impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key deficiency" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, highlighting its role in identifying significant shortcomings. It is used to pinpoint important areas that require attention or improvement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key deficiency" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a significant shortcoming or lack. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and utility across various formal contexts like science, news, and business. While not frequently used, it serves to pinpoint specific areas needing improvement. Alternatives like "a major shortcoming" or "a significant weakness" can be used depending on the context. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the importance of the deficiency and avoids overstatement. Use this phrase to draw attention to important areas and prompt corrective action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major shortcoming

Replaces "deficiency" with "shortcoming", emphasizing the inadequacy.

a significant weakness

Substitutes "deficiency" with "weakness", focusing on the area of vulnerability.

a critical flaw

Uses "flaw" instead of "deficiency", indicating a more serious defect.

a primary inadequacy

Replaces "deficiency" with "inadequacy", highlighting the insufficiency.

a notable limitation

Substitutes "deficiency" with "limitation", focusing on the restrictive aspect.

a central failing

Uses "failing" instead of "deficiency", emphasizing the lack of success.

a crucial gap

Replaces "deficiency" with "gap", focusing on the missing element.

a vital absence

Substitutes "deficiency" with "absence", highlighting the lack of something essential.

a fundamental deficit

Uses "deficit" instead of "deficiency", emphasizing the shortage or lack.

a core imperfection

Replaces "deficiency" with "imperfection", focusing on the flawed nature.

FAQs

How can I use "a key deficiency" in a sentence?

You can use "a key deficiency" to highlight a significant shortcoming or lack in something. For example: "The report identified "a key deficiency" in the current security protocols."

What are some alternatives to "a key deficiency"?

Alternatives include "a major shortcoming", "a significant weakness", or "a critical flaw". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a key deficiency" or "the key deficiency"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a key deficiency" is used when you are identifying one of several key deficiencies, whereas "the key deficiency" is used when you are referring to the single most important deficiency.

What's the difference between "a key deficiency" and "a minor deficiency"?

"A key deficiency" refers to a significant and important shortcoming, while "a minor deficiency" refers to a less important or less impactful shortcoming.