personal defects

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal defects" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to flaws or shortcomings in an individual's character or behavior. Example: "Despite his personal defects, he was still a valued member of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Their work displays the public virtues of their personal defects.

The New York Times - Arts

Online dating suggests that "on the internet, nobody knows you're a perpetual underachiever with a host of complex personal defects" may be more apt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But George W.? Judgments on his presidency seem more likely to rest on administration actions and reactions than on the man's personal defects and attributes.

The New York Times - Books

As if all this were not enough, Napoleon's manifold personal defects are thrown into the mix: he was "a ruler of exceptional treachery and mendacity," and he cared nothing for the lives of his soldiers.

The New York Times - Books

Stark is a deeply flawed individual who nevertheless manages to achieve spectacular feats of heroism: a sporting parallel would be Paul Gascoigne or late-era Diego Maradona, individual geniuses whose personal defects are tolerated because they might just produce something astonishing in five-minute bursts of incredible flair.

The Guardian - Film

This disorder is characterized by feelings of worthlessness, with unrealistically negative self-evaluations; it involves an exaggerated sense of guilt and personal responsibility for negative occurrences and interpreting neutral, day-to-day events as evidence of personal defects, even though these occurrences are not realistic reflections of poor character.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But the "confidence gap" is not a personal defect as much as it is a reflection of a culture that gives women no reason to feel self-assured.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their detractors say that what Shipman and Kay call a confidence gap "is not a personal defect as much as it is a reflection of a culture that gives women no reason to feel self-assured".

The Guardian

It's critical, she explains, for women to understand that their lack of confidence is not always "a personal defect", as Valenti writes – indeed, that the gap does have societal and institutional roots.

The Guardian - Opinion

What may seem like a personal defect to you may be an endearing trait to someone else.

Huffington Post

In previous eras, those atop society declared that such malaise was caused by "character defects" such as lack of intelligence, laziness, or refusal to delay gratification; today their personal-defect preference is for some kind of "biochemical-defect" explanation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "personal defects" to describe specific flaws rather than broad, undefined issues. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid making sweeping statements about someone's "personal defects" without providing specific examples or context. This can lead to misinterpretations and unfair judgments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal defects" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a sentence or preposition. It refers to the imperfections or shortcomings that are specific to an individual's character or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "personal defects" refers to the flaws or shortcomings in an individual's character or behavior. Ludwig AI considers the phrase to be grammatically correct and usable in written English. While "personal defects" is not a very common phrase, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. Alternative phrases such as "personal flaws" or "character defects" can be used depending on the intended emphasis. When using the phrase "personal defects", specificity and context are essential to avoid generalizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

personal flaws

Replaces "defects" with "flaws", a more common and general term for imperfections.

character defects

Focuses specifically on flaws related to moral character.

personal shortcomings

Substitutes "defects" with "shortcomings", indicating a lack of certain qualities.

personal failings

Replaces "defects" with "failings", highlighting areas where someone falls short.

personal weaknesses

Focuses on areas of vulnerability or lack of strength.

personal faults

Synonymous with "defects", but may carry a slightly stronger connotation of blame.

individual defects

Emphasizes that the defects are specific to an individual.

personal deficiencies

Highlights a lack of something necessary or desirable in one's character.

personal imperfections

A more formal term indicating a lack of perfection.

personal limitations

Focuses on boundaries or constraints in one's abilities or character.

FAQs

What are some alternative phrases for "personal defects"?

You can use alternatives like "personal flaws", "character defects", or "personal shortcomings" depending on the context.

How can I use "personal defects" in a sentence?

Example: "Despite his many "personal defects", he remained a highly effective leader."

Is it always negative to talk about "personal defects"?

Not necessarily. Acknowledging "personal defects" can be a sign of self-awareness and can lead to personal growth. However, it's important to be sensitive and constructive when discussing them, either in oneself or in others.

Which is a better phrase, "personal defects" or "character flaws"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "character flaws" might be more appropriate when referring to moral or ethical shortcomings, while "personal defects" can encompass a wider range of imperfections.