a major vulnerability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major vulnerability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing significant weaknesses or flaws in a system, process, or security measure. Example: "The recent audit revealed a major vulnerability in our cybersecurity protocols that needs immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Chinese officials consider tools like social networking, microblogging and video-sharing sites a major vulnerability.

The New York Times

Among other things, the trial will track fracture rates — a major vulnerability for stents in the leg — for five years.

The New York Times

That points to a major vulnerability in policing the opioid crisis: Doctors have a great deal of power.

The New York Times - Magazine

Taken together, they could add up to a major vulnerability for him as he faces re-election next year.

The New York Times

And it's something of a theme that Senators Clinton and McCain's advisers agree could give you a major vulnerability if you're the candidate in November.

The New York Times

Japan's heavy dependence on foreign oil was exposed as a major vulnerability in 1973, after oil-producing countries in the Middle East imposed an oil embargo.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

Welfare was once a major Democratic vulnerability; it made political sense for Clinton to rebuke his base and embrace reforms proposed by House Republicans.

The New York Times

EMET protects computers from zero-day attacks — attacks where a major security vulnerability has been discovered for which no patch exists.

Stanford University

Mr. Warner's retirement would create a major new vulnerability for his party in the struggle for control of the Senate, leaving an open seat in a conservative state that has increasingly trended Democratic the last few years.

The New York Times

Taken at face value, the permissions would have represented a major security vulnerability, albeit one that only appeared to affect players who signed up to play the game using their Google account on Apple devices.

The Guardian - Tech

Late yesterday we learned that a two-thirds of the world's websites have a major security vulnerability that could be used to crack encrypted connections and steal user passwords or a company's encryption keys.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing security, be specific about the nature of the "major vulnerability". Mentioning the exact system or process affected enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "a major vulnerability" without providing concrete examples or data to support the claim. Overblown rhetoric can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major vulnerability" functions as a noun phrase, where "major" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "vulnerability". Ludwig examples show it frequently used to identify significant weaknesses in various systems or entities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

24%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major vulnerability" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant weakness or flaw. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in neutral and professional contexts, particularly in news, science, and business, to highlight potential risks and areas needing improvement. When using this phrase, it's best practice to be specific about the vulnerability and avoid exaggeration. Alternatives like "significant weakness" or "critical flaw" can be used depending on the desired emphasis. The phrase's frequency and clear meaning make it a valuable tool for objective reporting and analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant weakness

Replaces "major" with "significant", emphasizing the importance of the vulnerability.

critical flaw

Substitutes "vulnerability" with "flaw", highlighting a defect that could cause failure.

serious deficiency

Uses "deficiency" instead of "vulnerability", focusing on the lack of necessary qualities.

key weakness

Emphasizes that the vulnerability is a central point of failure.

primary liability

Highlights the vulnerability as a primary source of potential harm or failure.

notable shortcoming

Replaces "vulnerability" with "shortcoming", indicating a failure to meet a required standard.

considerable exposure

Focuses on the state of being exposed to potential harm or risk.

substantial risk

Highlights the risk associated with the vulnerability.

glaring susceptibility

Emphasizes how obviously the vulnerability exists.

exposed weakness

Highlights that the weakness is known or apparent.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major vulnerability" to describe a significant weakness or flaw in a system, plan, or defense. For example, "The audit revealed "a major vulnerability" in the network's security protocols".

What's a good alternative to "a major vulnerability"?

Alternatives include phrases like "significant weakness", "critical flaw", or "serious deficiency", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "major vulnerability" or "significant vulnerability"?

Both "major vulnerability" and "significant vulnerability" are appropriate. "Major" emphasizes the scale or impact of the vulnerability, while "significant" highlights its importance. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is described as "a major vulnerability"?

It means there is a substantial weakness or flaw that can be exploited or lead to negative consequences. Identifying "a major vulnerability" is often the first step in addressing and mitigating potential risks.