a serious weakness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious weakness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant flaw or vulnerability in a person, system, or argument. Example: "The report highlighted a serious weakness in the company's cybersecurity measures that needed immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

This may be a serious weakness.

The New Yorker

But Mr Miliband's political strategy suffers from a serious weakness.

The Economist

Twitter's glitch highlights a serious weakness, notes Mikko Hypponen, an internet-security expert.

The Economist

For most of this campaign season, that has been framed as a serious weakness.

The New York Times

SOME COMPUTER SCIENTISTS think the "Napoleon Dynamite" problem exposes a serious weakness of computers.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the downgradings expose a serious weakness of the Japanese economy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

WiseNut was also designed to capitalize on what its developers considered a serious weaknesses in Google's system of link analysis: its potential for manipulation.

The New York Times - Tech

"Whatever it is that has made George Soros and Penny Pritzker not write checks to the Super PAC is a very serious weakness," the major donor says.

The New Yorker

This strikes me as a potentially serious weakness in the conduct of scientific research, much of which depends on public funding, and which in turn depends on public trust.

The Guardian

A perhaps more serious weakness was the (necessary) assumption of the model that gray matter volume alone explains cognitive performance.

BMC Psychiatry

It also demonstrates a serious systemic weakness that raises the risk premium in the world's second-largest economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more precise synonyms, such as "vulnerability" or "deficiency", to enhance clarity depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious weakness" for minor flaws. Reserve it for issues that genuinely pose significant risks or impairments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious weakness" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a notable deficiency or vulnerability, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious weakness" is a frequently used phrase to denote a notable flaw or vulnerability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When incorporating this phrase, be sure to contextualize the weakness, clearly articulating its implications. Although applicable in diverse scenarios, it maintains a neutral register, rendering it less suitable for informal discussions. Remember to consider synonyms like "a major deficiency" or "a critical vulnerability" to align with the specific context and to avoid overstating the severity of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major deficiency

Emphasizes the lack of something essential, similar to a significant vulnerability.

a critical vulnerability

Highlights the susceptibility to harm or exploitation.

a significant flaw

Focuses on a notable imperfection or fault.

a grave defect

Indicates a severe imperfection or fault.

a substantial shortcoming

Points out a considerable failure to meet a required standard.

a notable inadequacy

Highlights the insufficient nature of something.

a considerable failing

Emphasizes a significant failure or fault.

a perilous vulnerability

Stresses the dangerous nature of the weakness.

a profound limitation

Indicates a deep and significant restriction.

a worrisome vulnerability

Highlights the cause for concern associated with the weakness.

FAQs

How can I use "a serious weakness" in a sentence?

You can use "a serious weakness" to describe a significant flaw or vulnerability. For example, "The audit revealed "a serious weakness" in the company's internal controls."

What are some alternatives to "a serious weakness"?

You can use alternatives like "a major deficiency", "a critical vulnerability", or "a significant flaw" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "a serious weakness" or "a severe weakness"?

Both "a serious weakness" and "a severe weakness" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

What is the difference between "a serious weakness" and "a minor weakness"?

"A serious weakness" indicates a significant flaw or vulnerability that poses a substantial risk, while "a minor weakness" refers to a less critical issue with minimal impact.