flaw in the process

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flaw in the process" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a mistake or problem that exists in a process, or series of actions, such as a procedure, rule, or system. For example: "After further review, the team discovered a major flaw in the process that had been overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"They're not an impartial party, and that's a flaw in the process".

The Guardian

The fatal flaw in the process is its core assumption that one is guilty until proved innocent.

The New York Times - Sports

An obvious flaw in the process is that the only replays viewed by the third umpire were in slow motion, which distorts the action.

The Guardian - Sport

The flaw in the process was immediately apparent with the victory by Aleksandr Khalifman, a Russian grandmaster, who was ranked about No. 30 in the world.

The New York Times

The court found a separate technical flaw in the process leading up to the elections, requiring a new vote to be held.

The New York Times

Still, one critic said that the changes did not address what she felt was the most fundamental flaw in the process: that the church was not directly reporting allegations of abuse to law enforcement officials.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"There are continued flaws in the process, and they are not merely technical," Mr. White continued.

The New York Times

This is not to say that there are no flaws in the process.

The New York Times

But that contract was canceled after federal auditors upheld a protest from Boeing over flaws in the process.

The New York Times

Boeing's chief executive, W. James McNerney Jr., said company officials "found serious flaws in the process that we believe warrant appeal".

The New York Times

The government scrapped its decision to award the West Coast Mainline rail franchise to FirstGroup after admitting there were "significant technical flaws" in the process.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flaw in the process", be specific about which process you are referring to. For example, "The flaw in the decision-making process led to an unfavorable outcome."

Common error

Avoid vague statements about a "flaw in the process" without identifying the specific issue. Instead of saying, "There's a flaw in the process," specify, "The flaw in the process is the lack of quality control checks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "flaw in the process" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence to identify a defect or problem within a procedure or system. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flaw in the process" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase used to identify a defect or problem within a procedure or system. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for diverse contexts, with particularly common usage in news, scientific, and business settings. While several alternative phrases, such as "defect in the procedure" or "shortcoming in the system", can be used, "flaw in the process" maintains a distinct and clear communicative purpose. To ensure clarity, it's recommended to specify the exact process with the detected flaw. It is more appropriate to use the plural form if discussing multiple imperfections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defect in the procedure

Replaces "process" with "procedure" while maintaining the meaning of a fault within a set of actions.

shortcoming in the system

Substitutes "flaw" with "shortcoming" and "process" with "system", focusing on a weakness in a broader framework.

error in the methodology

Replaces "flaw" with "error" and "process" with "methodology", highlighting a mistake in a specific approach.

deficiency in the mechanism

Uses "deficiency" instead of "flaw" and "mechanism" instead of "process", suggesting an inadequacy in a working system.

weakness in the implementation

Replaces "flaw" with "weakness" and "process" with "implementation", focusing on a vulnerability in the execution of a plan.

problem with the procedure

A more general substitution using "problem" for "flaw", indicating an issue that needs resolution.

fault in the design

Replaces "process" with "design", focusing the problem on the initial plan.

glitch in the operation

Replaces "flaw" with "glitch" to describe a sudden malfunction, and "process" with "operation", focusing on active execution.

imperfection in the working

A more descriptive substitution focusing on the less than perfect aspect of the process using 'imperfection' and 'working'.

lapse in protocol

Replacing 'flaw' with 'lapse' to address an occasional failure in established rules, using 'protocol' instead of 'process'.

FAQs

How can I use "flaw in the process" in a sentence?

You can use "flaw in the process" to point out a problem or defect in a system or series of actions. For instance, "The investigation revealed a critical "flaw in the process" that allowed fraudulent activities to go undetected."

What is a good alternative to "flaw in the process"?

Alternatives include "defect in the procedure", "shortcoming in the system", or "error in the methodology", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "flaw in the process" or "flaws in the process"?

Use "flaw in the process" when referring to a single, specific issue. Use "flaws in the process" when discussing multiple issues or general imperfections.

What's the difference between "flaw in the process" and "weakness in the process"?

"Flaw in the process" typically indicates a specific defect or error, while "weakness in the process" suggests a more general vulnerability or area for improvement.