a significant deficiency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant deficiency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a notable lack or shortcoming in a particular area, often in contexts such as assessments, evaluations, or reports. Example: "The audit revealed a significant deficiency in the company's financial controls, which could lead to potential risks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Furthermore a significant deficiency is observed in bid evaluation involving triple bottom line of sustainability.

Journal of Cleaner Production

However, inaccurate liquid density predictions remain a significant deficiency in these equations.

Fluid Phase Equilibria

Most buildings are not rectangular and so this is a significant deficiency.

Computers & Structures

But at the start of this new medical year, a significant deficiency remains in the system: the way in which doctors are trained to think.

The New York Times

The past four annual audits have cited "ineffective controls over property and equipment" as a "significant deficiency" in the House, records show.

The Washington Post

This is due to a significant deficiency of moisture in the superficial layers of the ground and is related to the types of animal colonies.

Parasitology International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Persons who had a more significant deficiency had a 125percentt increased risk of developing dementia compared to participants with normal levels of vitamin D. Those persons with lower levels of vitamin D were almost 70percentt more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and those who had severe deficiency were over 120percentt more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.

Forbes

Among these deficiencies is a significant lack of certified interpreters for some of the city's most commonly spoken foreign languages like Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Italian.

The New York Times

A single human chromosome (HSA4) contained a marginally significant deficiency of Ambystoma orthologies (p = 0.50), however, given the large number of comparisons, a similar deviation would be expected to occur by chance.

BMC Genomics

In patients with "final common pathway" malignant melanoma, there was a highly significant deficiency in macrophage precursors (MPs).

British Journal of Cancer

On the branch c, there was also a statistically significant deficiency in the number of positively selected genes of the functional group "replication, recombination and repair".

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant deficiency", ensure the context clearly identifies what is lacking and the impact of that deficiency. For instance, specify "a significant deficiency in funding" or "a significant deficiency in training" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant deficiency" when the lack is minor or inconsequential. Overusing this phrase can dilute its impact and credibility; consider alternatives like "a minor oversight" or "a slight imperfection" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant deficiency" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies something that is lacking or inadequate, playing a crucial role in evaluations, assessments, and reports. As shown by Ludwig, it is correctly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant deficiency" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote a notable lack or shortcoming. As Ludwig AI explains, it's commonly used across varied contexts like science, news, and formal business, particularly when highlighting areas for improvement or assessing weaknesses. While alternatives like "a major deficit" or "a considerable shortfall" exist, choosing "a significant deficiency" depends on the specific nuance and formality required. Ensure proper context to amplify its impact and avoid overstating minor issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major deficit

Replaces "significant" with "major", implying a large or important lack.

a considerable shortfall

Substitutes both "significant" and "deficiency" with synonyms, suggesting a notable insufficiency.

a marked inadequacy

Replaces "significant" with "marked" and "deficiency" with "inadequacy", highlighting a noticeable insufficiency.

a substantial lack

Uses "substantial" instead of "significant" and "lack" as a direct synonym for "deficiency".

a notable absence

Employs "notable absence" to convey the idea of something important missing.

a critical weakness

Shifts the focus to "weakness" as a form of deficiency, implying a serious vulnerability.

a glaring omission

Uses "glaring omission" to suggest a very obvious and problematic deficiency.

a serious flaw

Replaces "deficiency" with "flaw", indicating a significant imperfection or fault.

a profound shortage

Emphasizes the severity of the lack by using "profound" and "shortage".

a considerable lapse

Indicates a failure or neglect that results in a significant deficiency.

FAQs

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

You can use "a significant deficiency" to point out a notable lack or shortcoming in something. For example, "The report highlighted "a significant deficiency" in the company's cybersecurity measures."

What are some alternatives to "a significant deficiency"?

Alternatives include "a major deficit", "a considerable shortfall", or "a substantial lack" depending on the context.

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

Both "significant deficiency" and "major deficiency" are acceptable, but "significant deficiency" is often used in more formal or technical contexts. "Major deficiency" might imply a greater level of severity. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "a significant deficiency" and "a minor deficiency"?

"A significant deficiency" implies a substantial and noteworthy lack or shortcoming, while "a minor deficiency" suggests a smaller, less impactful lack. The choice depends on the scale and consequences of the problem.