major flaw

USAGE SUMMARY

"major flaw" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a large problem or mistake. For example: "The major flaw in this project is that it does not address the underlying issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

REVENUES The major flaw is on taxes.

The New York Times

There is a major flaw: money.

The Guardian - Sport

But the report has a major flaw.

The New York Times

"It was a major flaw of leadership.

The Guardian

They share the same major flaw.

The Washington Post

Isn't this a major flaw in the system?

The New York Times

But the directory itself has a major flaw.

The New York Times - Tech

Klopp is not dealing with only one major flaw.

The Guardian - Sport

One major flaw could easily have been avoided.

The New York Times - Books

Their father's farming dream had one major flaw.

The Guardian - Arts

One major flaw is that most values do not account for the duration of an outage.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major flaw", ensure the context clearly identifies what the flaw pertains to and its potential consequences. Be specific rather than making vague assertions.

Common error

Avoid using "major flaw" for minor issues. Reserve it for significant shortcomings that genuinely impact the subject at hand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major flaw" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or direct object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a significant imperfection or defect. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major flaw" is a commonly used noun phrase to denote a significant defect or shortcoming. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Scientific publications. When employing this phrase, specificity is key to ensure the context clearly identifies the flaw and its implications. While "major flaw" is suitable for formal writing, it should be reserved for genuinely significant issues rather than minor imperfections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant defect

Replaces "flaw" with "defect", emphasizing a structural or functional problem.

critical weakness

Substitutes "major" with "critical" and "flaw" with "weakness", intensifying the severity.

serious shortcoming

Uses "shortcoming" instead of "flaw", focusing on a deficiency or inadequacy.

fundamental problem

Replaces "flaw" with "problem", highlighting a core issue.

key deficiency

Uses "deficiency" instead of "flaw", emphasizing a lack of something essential.

primary imperfection

Replaces "flaw" with "imperfection", softening the criticism slightly.

glaring error

Substitutes "flaw" with "error", focusing on a mistake or inaccuracy.

fatal mistake

Emphasizes that flaw leads to serious, negative consequences.

basic fault

Uses "fault" instead of "flaw", highlighting a responsibility or blame.

central drawback

Replaces "flaw" with "drawback", focusing on a disadvantage or negative aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "major flaw" to point out a significant defect or weakness in something. For example, "The "major flaw" in the plan was its lack of funding."

What are some alternatives to "major flaw"?

Alternatives include "significant defect", "critical weakness", or "serious shortcoming", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "major flaw" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider the specific context and audience to ensure it conveys the intended level of seriousness.

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

"Major flaw" refers to a significant problem that could cause substantial issues, while "minor flaw" indicates a small, less impactful issue.