gross defects

USAGE SUMMARY

"gross defects" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to large or serious physical or moral flaws. For example: "The gross defects of the building's structure became apparent after the earthquake."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

These crystals did not exhibit gross defects such as voids, bubbles or precipitates.

Optical Materials

His attempts to galvanize the war effort and remedy gross defects in many branches of the services were partly nullified by bad appointments at home and in Crimea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, mice with disruptions in the Notch pathway do not show gross defects in the hematopoietic stem cell compartment, limiting Notch effects at later stages of development.

Experimental Hematology

In man certain gross defects in babies at birth have been shown to be associated with effects acting through the mother in early pregnancy: gross defects of eyes and ears caused by infection of the mother with rubella (German measles); and microcephalic idiocy with diagnostic use of X ray on the mother.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These observations indicated that TRPV2 was selectively lack in DRG neurons of our TRPV2flox/flox; Cre mice, without gross defects in axonal development and cell composition of PSNs in adult mice.

Nature

Moreover, the autocracy of the Khalīfah had become increasingly acceptable to most Sudanese, and, having tempered his own despotism and eliminated the gross defects of his administration, he, too, received the widespread acceptance, if not devotion, that the Sudanese had accorded the Mahdī.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

There is gross defect in recent memory and in learning (except perhaps in motor learning), with retrograde amnesia that initially may involve several years of the person's past.

Britannica

Thus, no gross defect in cilial morphology was observed in hitchhiker homozygotes.

Human Molecular Genetics

Our data suggest that eater deficient larvae do not have a gross defect in plasmatocyte maturation or differentiation.

Biology Open

In CGD there is a gross defect of components of the NADPH oxidase that is responsible for the respiratory burst in neutrophils.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

However in MCF10A CDH1-/ cells, the microtubules were less dense and there was a gross defect in the radial pattern of organization, often oriented parallel to the cell cortex.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing moral failings, consider using "gross" to emphasize the extreme nature of the failing. For example, "The politician exhibited gross negligence in his duty."

Common error

Avoid using "gross defects" when describing minor or trivial imperfections. "Gross" implies a significant and often obvious flaw; using it for small issues can be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gross defects" functions as a noun phrase, where "gross" is an adjective modifying the noun "defects". This phrase typically describes substantial or significant flaws, as supported by Ludwig's examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

Encyclopedias

12%

News & Media

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gross defects" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe substantial flaws or imperfections. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it is most frequently encountered in scientific and technical writing. The phrase serves to emphasize the severity of a problem, prompting attention or corrective action. For alternatives, consider phrases such as "serious flaws" or "significant imperfections", keeping in mind the nuances each conveys. It's crucial to reserve "gross" for truly significant issues to avoid overstatement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious flaws

Replaces "defects" with "flaws" and "gross" with "serious", emphasizing the severity of the problem.

significant imperfections

Uses "imperfections" instead of "defects" and "significant" instead of "gross", highlighting notable flaws.

major deficiencies

Substitutes "defects" with "deficiencies" and "gross" with "major", focusing on lacking qualities.

substantial shortcomings

Replaces "defects" with "shortcomings" and "gross" with "substantial", indicating considerable limitations.

critical faults

Uses "faults" instead of "defects" and "critical" instead of "gross", emphasizing the importance of the flaw.

evident imperfections

Substitutes "gross" with "evident", highlighting that the imperfections are easily noticeable.

severe anomalies

Replaces both words, suggesting more of a departure from the norm rather than a simple defect.

considerable malformations

Emphasizes physical form issues rather than general defects, with a slightly stronger medical connotation.

glaring errors

Focuses on mistakes or inaccuracies, making it suitable for contexts where errors are the main issue.

major deformities

Specifically relates to distortions or disfigurements, primarily in a physical or biological context.

FAQs

How can I use "gross defects" in a sentence?

You can use "gross defects" to describe significant flaws or imperfections, as in "The product was recalled due to "gross defects" in its design".

What's the difference between "gross defects" and "minor flaws"?

"Gross defects" refer to substantial and noticeable problems, whereas "minor flaws" indicate small, less significant imperfections. Choosing between them depends on the severity of the issue.

What can I say instead of "gross defects"?

You can use alternatives like "serious flaws", "significant imperfections", or "major deficiencies" depending on the context.

Is "gross defects" formal or informal language?

"Gross defects" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts when describing significant flaws. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the setting.