shortcomings were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shortcomings were made" is not correct in English.
It suggests that shortcomings can be made, which is not a standard usage. Instead, you might want to say "shortcomings were identified" or "shortcomings occurred." Example: "After reviewing the project, it was clear that several shortcomings were identified in the initial plan."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The book proved popular and remained in print for 30 years, although some of its mathematical shortcomings were made good in the fourth edition by Charles Brooke.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our shortcomings are made abundantly clear in "Millions Still Going Hungry in the U.S., Report Finds" (news article, Sept. 10).

The New York Times

"Human nature being what it is, when one's shortcomings are made visible, it's easy to understand somebody being bothered.

The New York Times

Should rare shortcomings be made more routinely known?

Forbes

An effort to overcome this shortcoming was made by introducing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) onto the NGF surface by chemical vapor deposition (CVD).

Carbon

The shortcomings of this situation were made more acute by the memory that just the day before I had been doing lunch in Frédy Girardet's celebrated restaurant in Crissier, an experience that had confirmed many of my prejudices about the superiority of city life.

Independent

The FCA chairman, John Griffith-Jonesaidaid: "The board fully accepts Mr Davis's criticisms and on behalf of the FCA we apologise for the mistakes that were made and the shortcomings... his report has revealed".

The Guardian - Business

As the first evaluations of generalized Oda's formula were made, some further shortcomings of the method became evident: The void and crack distribution in some distance from the borehole is unknown and assumed equivalent to the known borehole: The crack or hose extension must be assumed.

Applied Water Science

Some shortcomings were identified and some suggestions for improvements were made.

Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Comparison of existing correlations as well as the new correlation shows that, although with some shortcomings, good progress is made toward a design correlation that spans a wide range of laminar to turbulent flow conditions for long orifices.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

In order to overcome the above shortcomings, recent efforts have been made to prepare MIPs with desired shape and suitable for wide applications.

International Nano Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing inherent problems, consider using phrases like "flaws were present" to avoid the awkward phrasing of "shortcomings were made".

Common error

Avoid using "make" with abstract concepts like shortcomings. "Make" implies creation or production, which doesn't logically apply to pre-existing deficiencies or weaknesses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shortcomings were made" attempts to express that deficiencies or inadequacies were brought into existence. However, it's grammatically unconventional. Ludwig indicates this is not a standard usage, and suggests alternatives like "shortcomings were identified."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "shortcomings were made" appears in various sources, it is grammatically questionable. Ludwig's analysis suggests it's not standard English, and provides better alternatives like "mistakes were made" or "shortcomings were identified". The phrase aims to convey that deficiencies existed, but clearer phrasing is recommended, especially in formal contexts. Using more precise language enhances clarity and avoids potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mistakes were made

This alternative focuses on errors or blunders that occurred, shifting the emphasis from inherent deficiencies to specific actions.

errors were identified

This phrase highlights the detection of inaccuracies or faults, providing a more precise and less accusatory tone.

deficiencies were noted

This emphasizes the observation and recording of inadequacies, suitable for formal reports or assessments.

flaws were present

This suggests inherent imperfections or defects existed, offering a more descriptive and objective perspective.

weaknesses were apparent

Focusing on observable vulnerabilities or frailties, this alternative suits discussions about capabilities or performance.

limitations were recognized

This highlights the acknowledgement of constraints or restrictions, suitable for technical or strategic contexts.

problems arose

This emphasizes the occurrence of difficulties or issues, suitable when discussing unexpected complications.

issues emerged

Similar to 'problems arose', this indicates the surfacing of concerns or challenges during a process or project.

gaps were found

This suggests missing elements or areas needing improvement, often used in audits or assessments.

faults were detected

This emphasizes the discovery of imperfections or errors, suitable for technical or investigative contexts.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "shortcomings were made"?

Consider using phrases like "mistakes were made", "errors were identified", or "flaws were present" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I describe inherent problems without using "shortcomings were made"?

You can use phrases like "deficiencies were noted", "weaknesses were apparent", or "limitations were recognized" depending on the specific context.

Is "shortcomings were made" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?

No, "shortcomings were made" is generally considered grammatically awkward. It's better to use more precise and standard alternatives like "mistakes were made" or "errors were identified" especially in formal contexts.

What's the difference between saying "shortcomings were made" and "mistakes were made"?

While both phrases address issues, "mistakes were made" implies specific actions that led to errors, whereas "shortcomings were made" is grammatically questionable and less clear. It's preferable to use "mistakes were made" for clarity.