inherent flaw

USAGE SUMMARY

"inherent flaw" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has a flaw built into its nature. For example, "The experimental design had an inherent flaw that led to incorrect results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Print has an inherent flaw," he said.

The New Yorker

Unfortunately, the original concept had an inherent flaw.

The Economist

There is, of course, an inherent flaw in that answer.

The New York Times - Sports

With this, you can't help feeling, he has put his finger on the genre's inherent flaw.

The Guardian - Books

As a literary genre, the sports memoir has an inherent flaw: the best athletes often turn out the dreariest memoirs.

The New York Times - Sports

Part of the problem, he said, may stem from an inherent flaw in the way vitamins are studied.

The New York Times

Its inherent flaw is the notion that there will always be people willing to pay for someone else's leisure.

The New York Times

The most significant challenges are the inherent flaw sensitivity, or brittleness, of ceramics and the variability of their mechanical properties.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You would think such an abysmal success rate would flag an inherent flaw crying out for urgent attention wouldn't you?

Independent

The inherent flaw in many commentator's position is that they paint with too broad a brush; each employer's financial position is unique, and should be respected.

University of California, Berkeley

Artificial photosynthesis aims to address the inherent flaw of natural photosynthesis by engineering a chemical scheme that converts sunlight into usable chemical fuels.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inherent flaw", clearly identify what possesses the flaw to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "There's an inherent flaw," specify "There's an inherent flaw in the design."

Common error

Avoid downplaying the significance of an "inherent flaw". Recognize that inherent flaws can have far-reaching consequences and necessitate thorough evaluation and potentially significant adjustments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inherent flaw" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and used to describe something that has a flaw built into its nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inherent flaw" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a fundamental weakness or defect. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's commonly found in contexts like news, academia, and science. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial; ensure the subject possessing the flaw is clearly identified. While alternatives like "intrinsic defect" or "fundamental weakness" exist, "inherent flaw" specifically implies a deeply ingrained fault from the outset.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intrinsic defect

Replaces "flaw" with "defect", emphasizing a built-in imperfection.

fundamental weakness

Substitutes "inherent" with "fundamental" and "flaw" with "weakness", focusing on a basic deficiency.

built-in limitation

Replaces "inherent flaw" with a phrase emphasizing a pre-existing constraint.

underlying problem

Shifts focus to the root cause rather than the specific flaw.

essential fault

Uses "essential" in place of "inherent" highlighting a necessary failing.

innate imperfection

Combines synonyms to convey a naturally occurring defect.

inescapable shortcoming

Highlights the unavoidable nature of the deficiency.

systemic issue

Indicates a flaw that is part of a larger system or structure.

basic inadequacy

Focuses on the lack of sufficient quality or quantity from the start.

constitutional frailty

Highlights a weakness at the level of basic framework or structure.

FAQs

How to use "inherent flaw" in a sentence?

You can use "inherent flaw" to describe a fundamental weakness or defect present from the beginning. For example: "The project's design contained an "inherent flaw" that made it unsustainable."

What can I say instead of "inherent flaw"?

You can use alternatives like "intrinsic defect", "fundamental weakness", or "built-in limitation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "inherent flaw" or "inherent problem"?

"Inherent flaw" and "inherent problem" are both correct, but ""inherent flaw"" specifically implies a defect or fault, while "inherent problem" is a broader term for any kind of issue.

What's the difference between "inherent flaw" and "design flaw"?

"Design flaw" refers specifically to a flaw in the design of something, while ""inherent flaw"" describes a flaw that is a natural or essential part of something's nature, whether it is designed or not.