major deficiency

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major deficiency" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant lack or shortcoming in a particular area, such as skills, resources, or performance. Example: "The report highlighted a major deficiency in the company's safety protocols that needed immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the majority of remote access laboratories developed to date have suffered from a major deficiency, namely the provision of a web-based environment that accurately recreates the group working and tutor driven experience of traditional on-campus based laboratories.

Journal of Network and Computer Applications

"It is a major deficiency that must be addressed".

The New Yorker

"He's a wonderful kid," Shyatt said, "but his shooting, that's his major deficiency".

The New York Times - Sports

Major deficiency is a deficiency that directly affects the soundness of the loan.

Cornell University

Recently a major deficiency in numerical stability of existing Monte Carlo coupling schemes was identified.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

A major deficiency in forest remote sensing is tree species identification.

Remote Sensing of Environment

The major deficiency in these systems is that programmers can only view and manipulate a single logical representation of programs.

University of California, Berkeley

But the Yankees have shown again how serious they are about correcting the major deficiency that kept them from the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

The New York Times - Sports

Similarly, lack of protection against rainfall and other environmental factors was shown to be a major deficiency in the tractors.

Biosystems Engineering

The only major deficiency, resulting from the simplifying assumption of a single activation barrier height, is its being too localized in the time domain.

Polymer

The aim of this paper is to suggest an effective procedure to eliminate a major deficiency in impressed current cathodic protection (CP).

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major deficiency", be specific about what is lacking and its impact. For instance, instead of saying "There is a major deficiency in our training program", specify "The major deficiency in our training program is the lack of hands-on experience, which hinders skill development".

Common error

Avoid using "major deficiency" as a generic complaint. Always provide concrete examples and explain the consequences of the deficiency to maintain clarity and impact. A weak sentence could be: "A major deficiency exists." A strong sentence could be: "A major deficiency exists in the current budget allocation, leading to understaffing and project delays."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major deficiency" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a significant lack or shortcoming. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase indicates a notable imperfection or absence that needs to be addressed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

29%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major deficiency" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to denote a significant shortcoming or absence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, with a leaning towards formal and scientific writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to be specific about the deficiency and its impact, avoiding vagueness. Alternatives like "significant weakness" or "critical gap" can be used depending on the desired nuance. While "major deficiency" is frequently used, ensure it's employed accurately and with supporting details to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant weakness

Replaces "deficiency" with "weakness", highlighting a lack of strength or effectiveness.

Serious shortcoming

Substitutes "deficiency" with "shortcoming", indicating a failure to meet a certain standard.

Key flaw

Replaces "deficiency" with "flaw", suggesting a fundamental imperfection.

Principal failing

Uses "failing" instead of "deficiency", emphasizing a failure or inability to succeed.

Main inadequacy

Replaces "deficiency" with "inadequacy", highlighting a lack of something required.

Critical gap

Substitutes "deficiency" with "gap", suggesting a missing element or component.

Fundamental problem

Emphasizes that the deficiency is a basic and essential issue.

Primary defect

Replaces deficiency with "defect", which means imperfection or fault.

Substantial lack

Highlights the absence of something important.

Significant absence

Emphasizes the non-existence of something crucial.

FAQs

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

Use "major deficiency" to point out a significant shortcoming or absence in a specific area. For example: "A "major deficiency" in the project plan was the lack of risk assessment."

What's a more formal way to say "major deficiency"?

Consider using phrases like "significant shortcoming", "principal failing", or "critical gap" for a more formal tone.

What can I say instead of "major deficiency" in informal conversation?

In informal contexts, you might use phrases such as "big problem", "main issue", or "key weakness".

What is the difference between "major deficiency" and "minor deficiency"?

"Major deficiency" indicates a significant and impactful problem, while "minor deficiency" refers to a less serious or consequential issue. The choice depends on the severity of the shortcoming.