is fundamentally flawed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is fundamentally flawed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to emphasize that something is deeply flawed. For example, "The argument against increasing the minimum wage is fundamentally flawed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is Rodgers grand plan starting to bear fruit or it is fundamentally flawed?

The Guardian - Sport

The reform is fundamentally flawed.

Independent

But it is fundamentally flawed.

The Guardian - Opinion

The core is fundamentally flawed.

The Washington Post

We think the EBC is fundamentally flawed.

The Guardian

The credit reporting industry is fundamentally flawed.

Harvard Business Review

Yet the circular reasoning behind this claim is fundamentally flawed.

The New York Times

The idea of a learning community is fundamentally flawed.

The Guardian

According to Percy, the strategy is fundamentally flawed.

The Guardian

As the foundation for global trade, it is fundamentally flawed.

Harvard Business Review

Or, to borrow from Alan Greenspan, it is fundamentally "flawed".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is fundamentally flawed", ensure you can clearly articulate the specific reasons for this assessment. Providing concrete examples strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "is fundamentally flawed" as a blanket statement. Always provide specific reasons and evidence to support your claim, as simply stating it without justification weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is fundamentally flawed" functions as a predicate adjective, attributing a quality of being critically defective to a subject. This is confirmed by Ludwig, indicating its correct usage. It emphasizes the presence of deep and intrinsic issues within something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is fundamentally flawed" is used to express that something has deep and intrinsic issues. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. This suggests the phrase has broad applicability and utility across diverse fields. Common alternatives include "is deeply flawed" or "is inherently flawed". When using the phrase, provide specific reasons and evidence to support your claim. Avoiding overuse without justification helps to improve your writing. In summary, while potent, the phrase requires a solid and justified basis to be wielded effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is deeply flawed

Emphasizes the depth of the flaws.

is inherently flawed

Focuses on the flaws being an intrinsic part of the subject.

is critically deficient

Highlights essential shortcomings.

is fatally undermined

Implies that the flaws lead to failure.

is seriously compromised

Suggests that the flaws damage its integrity or effectiveness.

is irreparably damaged

Indicates that the flaws cannot be fixed.

is irretrievably broken

Conveys a sense of finality and inability to recover.

is unsound at its core

Pinpoints the problem to the central or most important part.

is built on a weak foundation

Focuses on the instability of the base or origin.

is untenable in practice

Highlights the impracticality caused by the flaws.

FAQs

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

Use "is fundamentally flawed" to express that something has critical issues that affect its core functionality or validity. For example, "The study's methodology "is fundamentally flawed" due to biased sampling."

What are some alternatives to saying "is fundamentally flawed"?

You can use alternatives like "is deeply flawed", "is inherently flawed", or "is critically deficient" to express similar ideas, each with slight differences in emphasis.

Is it too strong to say something "is fundamentally flawed"?

The strength of the statement depends on the context. If you can provide substantial evidence to support your claim, then it's appropriate. If you lack sufficient justification, it might be too strong. Consider using a more moderate phrase such as "is largely flawed".

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

"Is fundamentally flawed" indicates deep, intrinsic problems, while "is slightly flawed" suggests minor imperfections that don't significantly affect the whole. The former implies a need for major changes or abandonment, while the latter suggests only minor adjustments are necessary.