for all its faults

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for all its faults" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to acknowledge the shortcomings or flaws of something while also recognizing its positive aspects or value. Example: "The movie was entertaining, for all its faults, and kept me engaged throughout."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

For all its faults, it is understandable that it refuses to go away.

The New York Times - Arts

No one planned that Heathrow would be what it is now, but for all its faults it is an extraordinary success, which should not be lightly discarded.

The Guardian

Still, if Vice is the future of media, it might be argued that, for all its faults, it's no worse than what we already have.

The New Yorker

"Pisa isn't perfect, but for all its faults it gives a reality check to governments.

The Guardian

"The reason why people love and trust the NHS is because, for all its faults, it is a service that is based on people not profits," Burnham added.

The Guardian

Yet, for all its faults, I found it relaxingly enjoyable and heartfelt.

The Guardian - Film

For all its faults and omissions, it has made the right decision on the Asian Games.

The Guardian - Sport

They tended to turn to revolutionary socialism, or whatever it was, which, for all its faults and problems, was at least a post-Enlightenment idea.

The New Yorker

It also offers, for all its faults, a shining (and rare) example in the Islamic world of a strong democracy and a successful free-market economy.

The Economist

For all its faults, the NCAA has made it a priority for teams to carefully monitor players with concussion-like symptoms, both in practice and in games.

Huffington Post

It is a Britain that, for all its faults, has been internationalist not isolationist.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "for all its faults" to provide a balanced perspective, acknowledging both the good and bad aspects of something. It's particularly useful when you want to express a nuanced opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "for all its faults" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "despite its flaws" or "notwithstanding its shortcomings" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for all its faults" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by expressing a concession or contrast. As shown in Ludwig, it acknowledges imperfections before making a statement of acceptance or appreciation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Film

5%

Sport

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for all its faults" is a grammatically correct and frequently used idiom that acknowledges imperfections while also recognizing positive aspects. Ludwig AI indicates that it functions as an adverbial phrase expressing concession and is commonly found in news and media sources, imparting a balanced perspective. While it's acceptable in various contexts, overuse should be avoided by utilizing synonyms such as "despite its flaws" or "notwithstanding its shortcomings". The phrase serves as a reminder to provide balanced judgments, recognizing both strengths and weaknesses. Ultimately, "for all its faults" is a versatile tool for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despite its imperfections

Emphasizes the existence of flaws but does not detract from overall value.

notwithstanding its shortcomings

Highlights limitations but still recognizes positive attributes.

in spite of its flaws

Focuses on overcoming defects and appreciating underlying qualities.

with all its weaknesses

Acknowledges inherent vulnerabilities but accepts the overall entity.

even with its drawbacks

Highlights negative aspects but still considers positive features.

faults aside

Briefly acknowledges imperfections and proceeds to highlight strengths.

deficiencies notwithstanding

Officially recognizes shortcomings but does not allow them to negate positive aspects.

blemishes aside

Addresses minor imperfections and transitions to positive attributes.

despite its limitations

Acknowledges restrictions but does not detract from overall effectiveness.

with its imperfections

Suggests embracing positive aspects, even though flaws are recognized.

FAQs

How can I use "for all its faults" in a sentence?

Use "for all its faults" to acknowledge the imperfections of something while still recognizing its value. For example, "The old car, "for all its faults", still gets me from place to place".

What can I say instead of "for all its faults"?

You can use alternatives like "despite its flaws", "in spite of its shortcomings", or "notwithstanding its imperfections" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "for all its faults"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is a common idiom used to acknowledge imperfections while recognizing positive aspects.

What's the difference between "for all its faults" and "despite its problems"?

"For all its faults" acknowledges specific imperfections, while "despite its problems" refers to broader, less defined issues. The former is more precise in identifying flaws.