riddled with flaws

USAGE SUMMARY

'riddled with flaws' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that has a great number of noticeable flaws. For example: His plan was riddled with flaws, so it was quickly rejected by the committee.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Ozzie's proposal is riddled with flaws.

Stanford University

The draft bill is riddled with flaws.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the law has helped, the process remains riddled with flaws.

The New York Times

The system is riddled with flaws that have turned its original intentions into a shambles.

The Washington Post

UK surrogacy law is riddled with flaws and desperately needs reconsideration.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the argument that we should leave the EU because of the refugee crisis is riddled with flaws.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The 19-page complaint is a broad-brush document arguing that Microsoft's Windows operating system, which runs 90percentt of all personal computers in the world, is poorly designed, flaw-ridden, and that the company ships software it knows is riddled with security flaws.

The New York Times

And an investigation by ProPublica found Crosscheck was riddled with security flaws.

The New York Times - Tech

PG: Holland really brings Ann Richards to life: this big, gorgeous personality who is also riddled with big flaws and complicated shadings.

The New York Times

He said that the Merlin figures are riddled with statistical flaws and also fail to take into account the price businesses have to pay for loans.

The Guardian - Business

Many opponents of the law say that such measures are riddled with mechanical flaws that make them unreliable and dangerous to gun owners.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "riddled with flaws" to describe systems, plans, or products that have significant and noticeable imperfections. It's stronger than saying something 'has flaws'.

Common error

While "riddled with flaws" is generally acceptable, be mindful of the formality of your writing. In highly formal or academic contexts, consider more nuanced or technical language to describe specific imperfections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "riddled with flaws" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is characterized by numerous and significant imperfections. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

15%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "riddled with flaws" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to describe something with numerous imperfections. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally suitable for a wide range of contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it serves to express criticism or highlight deficiencies in plans, systems, or products. While generally acceptable, writers should consider the formality of the situation and choose more precise language when necessary. Alternative phrases, like "full of defects" or "marred by imperfections", offer similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

full of defects

Emphasizes the abundance of imperfections.

marred by imperfections

Highlights how flaws detract from the overall quality.

imperfect in many ways

Focuses on the multifaceted nature of the imperfections.

compromised by shortcomings

Indicates that flaws undermine the effectiveness or success.

beset with problems

Highlights the problematic nature of the flaws.

plagued by issues

Focuses on the troublesome nature of the flaws.

tainted by errors

Emphasizes how errors negatively affect the subject.

weakened by faults

Indicates that the flaws diminish the strength or quality.

damaged by inadequacies

Highlights the damaging effect of the flaws.

burdened with weaknesses

Focuses on the heavy impact of the flaws.

FAQs

How can I use "riddled with flaws" in a sentence?

You can use "riddled with flaws" to describe something that has many imperfections, like "The project proposal was riddled with flaws, making it difficult to approve."

What can I say instead of "riddled with flaws"?

You can use alternatives like "full of defects", "marred by imperfections", or "imperfect in many ways" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "riddled with flaws" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the formality of your writing. In highly formal contexts, more technical language might be preferable. Consider alternatives such as "compromised by shortcomings".

What kind of things are typically "riddled with flaws"?

This phrase is often used to describe plans, systems, arguments, or products that have significant and noticeable imperfections.