is intrinsically flawed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is intrinsically flawed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has inherent weaknesses or defects that are fundamental to its nature. Example: "The theory is intrinsically flawed, as it fails to account for key variables that influence the outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

And here, I think that the Christian conservative response is intrinsically flawed.

The Guardian - Opinion

A number of other weapons experts go even further, saying the concept of trying to assess the stockpile in the absence of nuclear tests is intrinsically flawed.

The New York Times - Science

The magnitude of these challenges, combined with many others, has caused some early proponents of tokamaks to question whether the design itself is intrinsically flawed.

The New Yorker

A warning system based solely on how widely a virus has spread but that does not consider the nature of the illness it causes is intrinsically flawed because it is prone to false positives: it would classify as "pandemics" the frequent but largely inconsequential outbreaks of virus-caused colds and gastroenteritis.

The New York Times

In fact, paying out 70percentt of revenue is close enough to financial crippling to mean that some think Uber is intrinsically flawed as a business model unless it can remove drivers altogether.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thus, protein patents are intrinsically flawed.

The New York Times

"Some people took that to mean that our analysis was intrinsically flawed".

The New Yorker

The panel's recommendations are based largely on studies that are intrinsically flawed and whose data are incomplete at best.

The New York Times

Since universals do not exist, inferences which are based on such notions are intrinsically flawed.

SEP

The important task, then, is to identify the ways in which an act can be intrinsically flawed.

SEP

It is therefore concluded that hardness-based or modulus-based damage quantification methods are intrinsically flawed and should not be used for the determination of a damage parameter.

Acta Materialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is intrinsically flawed", ensure that you can clearly identify the inherent flaw and explain why it is fundamental to the subject being described. Specificity strengthens the argument.

Common error

Avoid using "is intrinsically flawed" as a general criticism without providing concrete evidence of the inherent flaw. Back up your claim with specific reasons and examples.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is intrinsically flawed" functions as a predicate adjective, attributing a quality or characteristic to a subject. It suggests a fundamental, inherent defect, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples where systems or concepts are deemed to possess inherent weaknesses.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is intrinsically flawed" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something with inherent, fundamental weaknesses. Ludwig AI indicates that it is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While not extremely common, the phrase serves to express critical assessments, highlighting that something has shortcomings embedded in its very nature. Consider alternatives such as "is inherently faulty" or "is fundamentally defective" to add nuance or variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is fundamentally defective

Replaces "flawed" with "defective", emphasizing a lack of proper function from the outset.

is inherently faulty

Substitutes "intrinsically" with "inherently" and "flawed" with "faulty", stressing an inborn imperfection.

is structurally unsound

Focuses on the structural aspects, suggesting a problem in the design or construction.

is conceptually weak

Shifts the focus to the underlying concept or idea being weak or unconvincing.

is fatally undermined

Emphasizes that the flaws are severe enough to cause failure or ruin.

is irredeemably damaged

Highlights that the damage cannot be fixed or corrected.

is unsalvageable

Indicates that the situation or object cannot be rescued or saved from its flawed state.

is critically compromised

Stresses that its effectiveness or integrity is seriously reduced due to flaws.

is built on shaky foundations

Emphasizes the unreliability and instability of the base or starting point.

is based on a fallacy

Focuses on the logical error or false premise underlying the flaw.

FAQs

What does "is intrinsically flawed" mean?

It means that something has fundamental flaws that are part of its very nature or design. These flaws are not superficial but are deeply embedded.

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

You can use it to describe a system, idea, or object that has inherent weaknesses. For example, "The business model "is intrinsically flawed" because it relies on unsustainable practices."

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

Both phrases are very similar, but "intrinsically" emphasizes that the flaw is part of the essential nature of something, while "fundamentally" highlights that the flaw affects the basic structure or principles. They are often interchangeable, but intrinsically adds a subtle nuance of inherent being.

What are some alternatives to "is intrinsically flawed"?

You can use alternatives like "is inherently faulty", "is fundamentally defective", or "is structurally unsound" depending on the context.