fundamental weakness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamental weakness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a core or essential flaw in a system, argument, or individual. Example: "The fundamental weakness in the proposal lies in its lack of supporting evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was also a more fundamental weakness at work.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is the fundamental weakness of the economy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Looking back, this was perhaps New Labour's most fundamental weakness.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was pure Karzai: a bravura performance designed to obscure fundamental weakness.

The New Yorker

"I think that is their fundamental strength and their fundamental weakness," he said.

The New York Times

Measures like these, however, still mask a fundamental weakness of the city's position.

The New Yorker

The fundamental weakness of the Obama plan was apparent from the beginning.

The New York Times

Ronald Reagan understood the fundamental weakness of a vastly more resourceful Soviet Union.

The New York Times

The marking by defenders is so haphazard as to suggest a fundamental weakness.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet he has lost control of the agenda in a manner which hints at fundamental weakness".

Independent

By this time the fundamental weakness of the king's character had become evident.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Replace "fundamental weakness" with a more precise term (like "core deficiency" or "key vulnerability") when possible to add clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamental weakness" for minor issues. Reserve it for flaws that genuinely undermine the core function or stability of something. Using it loosely dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamental weakness" functions as a noun phrase, where "fundamental" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "weakness". It typically identifies a significant flaw or deficiency in a system, argument, or entity. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fundamental weakness" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant flaw or deficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using "fundamental weakness", ensure the flaw is genuinely critical and provide sufficient context. While suitable for formal and informal use, more precise terms like "core deficiency" or "key vulnerability" might be preferred in some instances to strengthen clarity. Overstating the significance of a flaw by labeling it a "fundamental weakness" should be avoided to maintain credibility and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core deficiency

Emphasizes the central and essential nature of the deficiency.

basic flaw

Highlights a simple, yet critical, defect.

key vulnerability

Focuses on the susceptibility and exposure implied by the weakness.

primary defect

Stresses the main and foremost nature of the defect.

major shortcoming

Indicates a significant lack or failure.

critical failing

Highlights a failure that is crucial and potentially damaging.

central problem

Identifies the weakness as a main issue.

root cause

Indicates the underlying origin of a problem.

inherent limitation

Suggests the weakness is naturally existing within something.

structural fault

Highlights a flaw in the design or organization of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "fundamental weakness" to describe a critical flaw or deficiency in something. For example: "The "fundamental weakness" of their argument was the lack of evidence."

What are some alternatives to "fundamental weakness"?

Alternatives include "core deficiency", "basic flaw", or "key vulnerability", depending on the specific context.

Is "fundamental weakness" a formal or informal phrase?

"Fundamental weakness" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more precise language may be preferred in highly technical or academic writing.

What's the difference between "fundamental weakness" and "minor flaw"?

"Fundamental weakness" indicates a critical issue that significantly impacts the function or stability of something, while "minor flaw" refers to a small, less impactful imperfection.