major defect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major defect" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a significant flaw or problem in a product, system, or process. For example, "The car was recalled due to a major defect in the braking system." Alternative expressions include "serious flaw" and "significant issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The triumph of open systems revealed a major defect in closed designs.

The New Yorker

The major defect of that arthritic art was "illustrationism" - weak work by weaklings for weaklings.

The Guardian - Arts

Its major defect, however, is its inability to separate the vital from the trivial.

Harvard Business Review

It's a plausible-sounding theory whose major defect is the absence of supporting evidence.

The Washington Post

The faulty Rb and p53 proteins are a major defect in many solid tumors, unlike leukemias, where a hyperactive signaling protein seems to be the cancer's principal driver.

The New York Times - Science

"I thought it was a major defect of the Stalinist left not to recognise that establishing democracy in India had been an enormous step forward.

The Guardian - Books

Medical "extensivists". One major defect in care for most patients in American health care and Medicaid beneficiaries in particular is dropped balls.

Harvard Business Review

Among other production bottlenecks, drilling-induced delamination remains a major defect which adversely affects the quality of assembly parts.

Composites Part B: Engineering

The only major defect — in both strains — was in sexual reproduction, in which yeast cells with two genome copies produce 'spores' that have only one.

Nature

They've helped to expose a major defect of the entire design process thus far: the attempt to contain architecture within such restrictive boundaries that it cannot perform its legitimate poetic function.

The New York Times - Arts

Fiber misalignment in composites in the form of in-plane waviness and out of-plane wrinkling, is a major defect arising from processes such as hot drape forming.

Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "major defect", be specific about its impact or consequences to provide context and emphasize its importance.

Common error

Avoid using "major defect" when the flaw is relatively minor. Reserve it for situations where the issue genuinely poses a significant problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major defect" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It identifies a significant flaw or deficiency in something. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, describing problems in products, systems, or processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major defect" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant flaw or deficiency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various domains, including science, news, and business. While alternatives like "significant flaw" or "serious fault" exist, "major defect" effectively conveys the severity of the issue. When using the phrase, be specific about the impact of the defect to enhance clarity and emphasize its importance. Avoid using it for minor issues to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant flaw

Emphasizes the importance of the defect.

serious fault

Highlights the severity of the defect.

critical deficiency

Focuses on the lack of something essential.

major shortcoming

Points out a significant weakness.

substantial imperfection

Highlights the lack of perfection.

key weakness

Highlights a vulnerability or area needing improvement.

primary issue

Identifies the defect as a leading concern.

fundamental problem

Indicates an issue at the core of something.

glaring error

Emphasizes that the defect is very obvious.

significant issue

Highlights the importance of the problem.

FAQs

How can I use "major defect" in a sentence?

You can use "major defect" to describe a significant flaw or problem, as in "The product recall was due to a "major defect" in the manufacturing process."

What are some alternatives to "major defect"?

Alternatives include "significant flaw", "serious fault", or "critical deficiency". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "major defect" in formal writing?

Yes, "major defect" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing technical issues, product failures, or systemic problems. However, ensure that the tone remains objective and professional.

What's the difference between "major defect" and "minor defect"?

A "major defect" indicates a significant problem that can severely impact functionality, safety, or performance. A "minor defect", on the other hand, is a less critical issue that might cause inconvenience but doesn't significantly impair the overall system or product.