fundamentally flawed

USAGE SUMMARY

"fundamentally flawed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a major issue or defect. For example, "The argument was fundamentally flawed, as it lacked basic facts to back it up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The reform is fundamentally flawed.

Independent

But his argument was fundamentally flawed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unfortunately, the Maastricht treaty was fundamentally flawed.

The Guardian - Business

9: Our whole approach was fundamentally flawed.

The New York Times

Moreover, bonus targets are fundamentally flawed.

The Guardian - Business

The system is now fundamentally flawed, concludes Mr Macey.

The Economist

A majority believes Britain's political system to be fundamentally flawed.

Independent

Food that's uninventive, old-fashioned and fundamentally flawed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, he says the system is fundamentally flawed.

The Guardian

Yet the circular reasoning behind this claim is fundamentally flawed.

The New York Times

Even our measure of human progress seems fundamentally flawed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fundamentally flawed", clearly identify what aspect is flawed to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "The plan is fundamentally flawed", specify: "The plan is fundamentally flawed in its financial projections."

Common error

Avoid using "fundamentally flawed" for minor imperfections. Reserve it for situations where the flaw undermines the core functionality or validity of the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamentally flawed" functions as a compound adjective used to describe a noun. Ludwig examples show it attributes a critical defect or weakness to the noun, indicating a severe problem. The phrase often modifies concepts, plans, systems, or arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fundamentally flawed" is a commonly used adjective phrase to describe something that has a critical underlying problem. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Science, indicating its use in analytical and critical contexts. Use it to clearly express that something has deep, irremediable issues while avoiding overstating minor imperfections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fundamentally unsound

Slightly altered word choice but retains the original meaning.

inherently defective

Emphasizes that the flaw is an intrinsic part of the subject.

critically deficient

Highlights the severity of the deficiency.

fatally weak

Focuses on the vulnerability caused by the flaw.

seriously impaired

Suggests the flaw significantly hinders functionality.

deeply unsound

Implies that the foundations or principles are not solid.

irredeemably faulty

Indicates the flaw cannot be corrected or fixed.

structurally unsound

Highlights issues with the underlying design or structure.

terminally problematic

Suggests the problem is persistent and likely to worsen.

badly compromised

Emphasizes the degradation or impairment due to the flaw.

FAQs

How can I use "fundamentally flawed" in a sentence?

You can use "fundamentally flawed" to describe something with a critical, underlying problem. For example, "The research methodology was "fundamentally flawed", leading to unreliable results."

What are some alternatives to "fundamentally flawed"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "inherently defective", "critically deficient", or "fatally weak".

Is it appropriate to use "fundamentally flawed" in formal writing?

Yes, "fundamentally flawed" is suitable for formal writing when describing serious defects or issues. However, ensure that the context justifies the strong language.

What's the difference between "fundamentally flawed" and "slightly flawed"?

"Fundamentally flawed" indicates a critical, core problem, whereas "slightly flawed" refers to a minor imperfection. Use ""fundamentally flawed"" when the flaw invalidates or severely impairs the subject.