little flaws

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little flaws" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to minor imperfections or shortcomings in something, often in a context where those flaws are not considered significant. Example: "Despite the little flaws in the design, the overall product is quite impressive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Little flaws, multiplied, mocked the cheery optimism of the veneers.

The New York Times - Magazine

And when pressed, she admits seeing little flaws, like a glimpse of the mattress formerly hidden by the bed skirt.

The New York Times

Now, any big book on big ideas will inevitably turn out to have lots of little flaws in argument and detail along the way.

The New Yorker

Compared to the rest, and even though they have moods and little flaws of their own, Moominmamma, Moominpappa, and Moomintroll are enviably easygoing.

The New Yorker

I find little flaws I have in practice, I work on those and go to the gym or I eat better".

The Guardian - Sport

So our better course is not to obsess about other people's nasty teeth (or saggy eyelids or purple spider veins), lest they turn the tables and begin cataloging our little flaws.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Is there a little flaw here?

The New Yorker

"Do we restore every little flaw?" Coddington said.

The New Yorker

One tiny little flaw with this dystopic piece of counter-factualism: er, the public sector was entrusted with doing just that.

Independent

Martin Dressler rises in the world and is fortunate to be able to satisfy "his heart's desire," but, as Millhauser writes, "this is a perilous privilege, which the gods watch jealously, waiting for the flaw, the little flaw, that brings everything to ruin, in the end".

The New Yorker

Besides, the diffraction peaks become different from the others with a little flaw as the CIT/Y = 4 1.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something complex, use "little flaws" to acknowledge minor imperfections without discrediting the whole.

Common error

Avoid using "little flaws" when the imperfections are actually significant or critical; choose stronger terms like "major defects" or "critical errors" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little flaws" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "little" modifies the noun "flaws". Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage, suggesting it's a standard way to describe minor imperfections.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

24%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little flaws" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe minor imperfections. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, media, and science. When writing, use "little flaws" to acknowledge imperfections without overstating their importance. Alternatives include "minor imperfections" or "small defects". Be mindful not to use the phrase when the flaws are, in fact, significant. With a score of 4.1, experts agree the phrase is appropriate for many situations and has consistently good source authority.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor imperfections

Replaces "flaws" with a synonym that emphasizes the small degree of imperfection.

tiny imperfections

Replaces 'little' with 'tiny' to highlight how minor the flaws are.

small defects

Uses "defects" to indicate minor faults or blemishes.

slight imperfections

Emphasizes the minimal impact of the imperfections.

trivial faults

Highlights the insignificance of the errors or faults.

insignificant blemishes

Focuses on the cosmetic nature of the imperfections.

minor shortcomings

Highlights limitations that are not critical.

small errors

Replaces "flaws" with a more direct term for mistakes.

petty foibles

Focuses on personal or behavioral quirks that are not serious.

slight glitches

Emphasizes temporary and easily fixable problems.

FAQs

How can I use "little flaws" in a sentence?

You can use "little flaws" to describe minor imperfections in something. For example: "Despite the "little flaws" in the design, the overall product is quite impressive."

What are some alternatives to "little flaws"?

Alternatives include "minor imperfections", "small defects", or "slight imperfections", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "little flaws" in formal writing?

Yes, "little flaws" is generally appropriate for most writing contexts, including formal writing, as it's a common and easily understood phrase. However, consider if a more precise term might be more suitable for technical or scientific writing.

What's the difference between "little flaws" and "major defects"?

"Little flaws" refers to minor, often cosmetic, imperfections that don't significantly impact functionality or value. "Major defects", on the other hand, indicate significant issues that can impair functionality or substantially reduce value.