major flaws

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major flaws" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe significant problems or defects in something, such as a plan, product, or argument. For example, "The report was rejected due to several major flaws in its methodology." Alternative expressions include "serious issues" and "significant shortcomings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

No major flaws?

The Guardian

Rees-Mogg's book has two major flaws.

The Guardian - Books

Spenser's wheelchair has several major flaws.

The New York Times

It was a significant achievement, but there were major flaws in the broader accord.

The New Yorker

As a revolutionary tool, digital media has many obvious advantages, but two major flaws.

The New York Times

This isn't to say that the work, "American Document (2010)," doesn't have some major flaws.

The New York Times - Arts

He has quickened his release somewhat and corrected some major flaws since leaving college.

The New York Times - Sports

That preoccupation speaks to one of the major flaws of this patchy second episode.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Two major flaws instill doubt about the legitimacy of the request to extradite Mr. Polanski.

The New York Times

Even its backers say the Clean Elections pilot has major flaws.

The New York Times

A spokesman for Accord said the group was "appalled" by the ruling, and that it had "major flaws".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "major flaws" when critiquing the structural integrity or logic of a system, argument or product. It is most effective when followed by specific evidence that justifies the severity of the adjective 'major'.

Common error

Do not use "major flaws" to describe minor cosmetic errors or typos. Overusing this phrase for trivial issues diminishes your credibility and may lead readers to ignore your more significant criticisms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major flaws" functions as a noun phrase consisting of a qualifying adjective and a plural noun. According to Ludwig, it acts as a direct object or subject complement that quantifies the severity of a defect within a given system or argument.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Informal

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "major flaws" is a robust and versatile phrase used to identify significant problems across a wide range of disciplines. Data from Ludwig AI shows that it is particularly prevalent in high-authority sources like The New York Times and various scientific journals, where it serves as a precise tool for critical evaluation. While it is grammatically simple, its impact relies on the context; it effectively signals that a plan, study or product has fundamental issues that cannot be overlooked. Writers should ensure they provide sufficient evidence when using such a strong descriptor to maintain a professional and credible tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant shortcomings

Focuses on failure to meet a specific standard or expectation.

Serious defects

Often used in more technical or physical contexts like engineering or manufacturing.

Fundamental issues

Suggests the problem exists at the core or foundational level.

Substantial weaknesses

Shifts the focus from a 'mistake' to a lack of strength or robustness.

Critical errors

Emphasizes the danger or high stakes resulting from the mistake.

Severe limitations

Describes a restricted capacity rather than a specific mistake.

Grave errors

Carries a more somber and serious tone regarding the consequences.

Key vulnerabilities

Common in security or strategic contexts describing points of attack.

Deep-seated problems

Implies that the flaws are long-standing and difficult to resolve.

Fatal flaws

The most extreme version, suggesting the flaw leads to inevitable failure.

FAQs

How do I use "major flaws" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a significant problem, such as: "The researchers found several <a href="/s/major+flaws" target="_blank" rel="alternative">major flaws in the experimental design."

What is a more formal synonym for "major flaws"?

In academic or professional writing, you might prefer <a href="/s/significant+shortcomings" target="_blank" rel="alternative">significant shortcomings or <a href="/s/substantial+weaknesses" target="_blank" rel="alternative">substantial weaknesses.

Is "major flaws" more severe than "minor flaws"?

Yes, while <a href="/s/minor+flaws" target="_blank" rel="alternative">minor flaws are small and usually fixable, "major flaws" represent fundamental problems that may invalidate an entire project.

When should I use "fatal flaws" instead of "major flaws"?

Use <a href="/s/fatal+flaws" target="_blank" rel="alternative">fatal flaws only if the problem is so severe that it causes the entire plan, argument or machine to fail completely.