a major defect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major defect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant flaw or problem in a product, system, or process. Example: "The software update introduced a major defect that caused the application to crash unexpectedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

The triumph of open systems revealed a major defect in closed designs.

The New Yorker

The faulty Rb and p53 proteins are a major defect in many solid tumors, unlike leukemias, where a hyperactive signaling protein seems to be the cancer's principal driver.

The New York Times - Science

"I thought it was a major defect of the Stalinist left not to recognise that establishing democracy in India had been an enormous step forward.

The Guardian - Books

Among other production bottlenecks, drilling-induced delamination remains a major defect which adversely affects the quality of assembly parts.

Composites Part B: Engineering

They've helped to expose a major defect of the entire design process thus far: the attempt to contain architecture within such restrictive boundaries that it cannot perform its legitimate poetic function.

The New York Times - Arts

Fiber misalignment in composites in the form of in-plane waviness and out of-plane wrinkling, is a major defect arising from processes such as hot drape forming.

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Isolated defects were defined as those having a single major defect alone or together with one or more of a list of minor defects used in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study [ 19].

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Nevertheless, the upregulation of the tip cell specification program is unable to compensate for the sprouting defect in Nrp1 null mutants, arguing for a major morphological defect that prevents proper execution of tip cell behavior.

Cell Reports

It's a plausible-sounding theory whose major defect is the absence of supporting evidence.

The Washington Post

Although 3% of babies in the United States are born with a major birth defect (CDC 1995), the cause of > 40% of birth defects remains unknown (Holmes 1997).

Environmental Health Perspectives

CDH is a major birth defect, characterized by high mortality.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical issues, use "a major defect" to clearly communicate the severity of the problem to stakeholders.

Common error

Avoid using "a major defect" in everyday conversations. Opt for less formal alternatives like "a big problem" or "a serious issue" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major defect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It identifies and describes a significant flaw or problem. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major defect" is a commonly used phrase to describe significant flaws across various contexts. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for formal and scientific writing. While versatile, you should be mindful of the context and consider less formal alternatives for everyday conversations. The phrase sees high usage in scientific and news media publications. Remember to use this phrase when you want to clearly communicate the severity of a problem.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant flaw

Focuses on the imperfection rather than the severity.

a critical issue

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of the defect.

a serious problem

Emphasizes the troublesome nature of the defect.

a substantial fault

Indicates a considerable degree of imperfection.

a notable imperfection

Highlights the perceptibility and relevance of the defect.

a glaring deficiency

Emphasizes the obviousness and lack of something important.

a crucial weakness

Points out a vulnerability or lack of strength.

a fundamental error

Stresses the basic or foundational nature of the mistake.

a primary failing

Indicates the main reason for ineffectiveness or lack of success.

a key shortcoming

Highlights a limitation that significantly affects overall performance.

FAQs

How can I use "a major defect" in a sentence?

You can use "a major defect" to describe significant flaws in products, systems, or processes. For instance, "The car was recalled due to "a major defect" in its braking system."

What can I say instead of "a major defect"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant flaw", "a critical issue", or "a serious problem" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a major defect" or "a minor defect"?

Both "a major defect" and "a minor defect" are correct, but they describe different levels of severity. "A major defect" indicates a significant problem, while "a minor defect" refers to a less important issue.

What's the difference between "a major defect" and "a major weakness"?

"A major defect" typically refers to a flaw in a product or system, while "a major weakness" describes a deficiency in an ability, strategy, or characteristic.