obvious flaw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obvious flaw" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a clear or easily identifiable mistake or defect in an argument, design, or situation. For example, "The report contained an obvious flaw that undermined its credibility." Alternative expressions include "clear defect" and "evident mistake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Even if it is the most obvious flaw in the world, and that flawed individual is coming after you personally, the fastest way to get rid of that experience is to not give it any attention at all.

Huffington Post

The most obvious flaw in David Cameron's extremism plan is this.

Independent

The obvious flaw that is present in many juries is a lack of understanding.

Independent

It's a nice theory, but it has a rather obvious flaw.

The Guardian - Opinion

He does smoke like a chimney — the one obvious flaw Chenoweth allows him.

The New York Times - Books

One obvious flaw was that the boss, the brain behind the scheme, was otherwise engaged in England.

The New York Times - Sports

"All taxpayers would be better off under the reform," he argued.However, the proposal has an obvious flaw.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mexico has obvious flaws.

The Economist

It has two obvious flaws.

The Guardian - Opinion

The package has obvious flaws.

The New York Times

There are obvious flaws in this approach.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In critical reviews, follow the mention of an "obvious flaw" with a colon or a 'that' clause to immediately explain the nature of the error for better clarity.

Common error

Do not label every minor disagreement or small detail as an "obvious flaw". Overusing this phrase can weaken your critical authority; reserve it for substantial defects that fundamentally compromise the integrity of the subject.

Linguistic Context

"Obvious flaw" functions as a noun phrase where 'obvious' acts as an attributive adjective modifying the noun 'flaw'. It typically serves as the direct object of a verb or the head of a subject phrase. Ludwig examples demonstrate its role in identifying critical failures within complex systems or arguments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obvious flaw" is a robust and highly frequent linguistic tool used to denote clear, significant defects. According to Ludwig AI data, it is a grammatically correct construction that finds its strongest footing in analytical journalism and scientific peer reviews. It effectively bridges the gap between everyday observation and professional critique. Writers should employ it when they wish to highlight a failure that is both substantial and easily detectable, while being mindful not to dilute its impact by applying it to trivial errors. The high expert rating and consistent presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist underscore its reliability in formal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evident defect

Focuses more on technical or physical imperfections that are easy to see.

glaring weakness

Emphasizes the severity and vulnerability caused by the flaw.

manifest error

Higher formality, often used in legal or technical evaluations to denote an indisputable mistake.

conspicuous shortcoming

Highlights a noticeable failure to meet a specific standard or expectation.

visible imperfection

Focuses on the aesthetic or surface-level nature of the fault.

palpable mistake

Suggests the error is so significant it is almost tangible or intensely felt.

patent deficiency

A formal way to describe a clear lack of necessary qualities or components.

clear-cut oversight

Suggests a specific detail was unintentionally but obviously missed.

undeniable drawback

Emphasizes the disadvantageous nature of the flaw that cannot be disputed.

transparent loophole

Specifically refers to an obvious gap in rules, logic or systems.

FAQs

How do I use "obvious flaw" in a sentence?

You can use it to highlight a major mistake, for example: "The researcher identified an "obvious flaw" in the study design."

What can I say instead of "obvious flaw"?

Depending on your context, you can use phrases like "evident defect", "glaring weakness" or "manifest error".

What is the difference between "obvious flaw" and "glaring weakness"?

While an "obvious flaw" refers to a specific error or defect, a "glaring weakness" usually refers to a broader vulnerability or lack of strength in a person, argument or system.

Is "obvious flaw" formal enough for academic papers?

Yes, it is widely used in academic and scientific contexts as shown by Ludwig examples from sources like Science Magazine and PubMed. However, for a more technical tone, you might consider "patent deficiency".