shortcoming

USAGE SUMMARY

'shortcoming' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to a failing or deficiency, such as in the sentence: "The project was successful overall, but there were some minor shortcomings that prevented it from reaching its full potential".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By contrast, Mr Koizumi, though plain-spoken by the standards of Japanese politics, is not the sort of leader to win public debates on a global stage.That shortcoming might not matter much, however, in a region where governments are inclined to fudge their public statements and let bureaucrats work things out behind the scenes.

The Economist

It would direct a lot of fiscal firepower at indebted homeowners, but would benefit other taxpayers only indirectly a shortcoming it shares with Mr Feldstein's scheme.Allied to that objection is a bigger one: attempting to put a floor under house prices (or any asset prices) is hugely distortionary.

The Economist

Obviously, she needs allies, but a disdain for deal-making that borders on arrogance has so far prevented her from getting them.That is not her only shortcoming.

The Economist

He struggles to inspire voters a shortcoming that became especially evident in the run-up to the European elections in May and Scotland's referendum on independence in September.

The Economist

That Hiroshi Araki, TEPCO's chairman, heads the committee on corporate behaviour at Japan's biggest business federation neatly illustrates this shortcoming.

The Economist

With luck, the real word may fall into disuse and the humble outsider will feel intimidated by the floppy, opaque language that masks wrongdoing or shortcoming.

The Economist

Few of the officers have proper training in crowd control a shortcoming that contributed to the killing five years ago.

The Economist

The disproportionate power of the executive to stifle debate is a widely recognised shortcoming of the Dáil, most starkly illustrated by Kenny's recent refusal to permit a free vote among his party colleagues on the contentious matter of abortion.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's one shortcoming of the union movement: not enough people have a job where they can join a union.

The Guardian

"That really does feel to me like a shortcoming: we haven't built a product that's easy enough for unmotivated users.

The Guardian - Tech

Trying to make her incrementalism into a shortcoming, Mr Steinbrück suggested that Mrs Merkel lacked "feeling" for the European project because she spent the first 36 years of her life in East Germany, outside the European Communities from which the EU grew.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shortcoming", be specific about what the deficiency is and its impact. This provides clarity and avoids vague criticism.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of minor "shortcomings". Focus on the overall strengths and contextualize the "shortcoming" appropriately to maintain a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "shortcoming" is as a noun. It refers to a defect, fault, or deficiency. Ludwig confirms this, showing it used to denote weaknesses in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shortcoming" functions as a noun used to denote a deficiency or fault. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to use it with specificity to avoid vague criticism, and overstating minor "shortcomings" can skew perspective. Related terms like "defect" or "weakness" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Overall, mastering the use of "shortcoming" enhances clarity and balance in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defect

Refers to a flaw or imperfection that impairs completeness.

weakness

Indicates a lack of strength or effectiveness.

drawback

Suggests a disadvantage or negative aspect.

limitation

Highlights a restriction or constraint.

deficiency

Implies a lack or inadequacy in something necessary.

flaw

Describes a noticeable imperfection or fault.

failing

Emphasizes a weakness or inability to meet expectations.

imperfection

Points out a state of being not perfect or complete.

fault

Indicates a mistake or defect in character or design.

lapse

Suggests a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment.

FAQs

How to use "shortcoming" in a sentence?

You can use "shortcoming" to point out a defect or weakness, as in, "One "major shortcoming" of the plan is its lack of detail".

What can I say instead of "shortcoming"?

You can use alternatives like "defect", "weakness", or "drawback" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "shortcoming" or "comingshort"?

"Shortcoming" is the correct term to describe a deficiency or fault. "Comingshort" is not a standard English word.

What's the difference between "shortcoming" and "limitation"?

"Shortcoming" often implies a fault or defect that detracts from perfection, while "limitation" suggests a restriction or boundary. A "shortcoming" is a failing, while a "limitation" is simply a constraint.