significantly flawed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significantly flawed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective phrase which is used to describe something that has major flaws. For example, "The study was deemed significantly flawed due to a miscalculation in the data analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

It has not taken Craig long to conclude the current model is significantly flawed.

The Guardian - Sport

Mass argues that these models are significantly flawed in comparison with commercial and European alternatives.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is a weak Republican field with two significantly flawed front-runners contesting an immensely important election.

The Washington Post

The evidence that attendance boosts the immune system and lowers blood pressure comes from studies that are significantly flawed.

The New York Times

"PwC's monitoring efforts are significantly flawed," said Dr. O'Rourke, a professor of environmental and labor policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The New York Times

This 4,000-square-foot 4,000-square-foot 4,000-square-footn many ways significantly flawexhibitioneatrisality is one of its strengths.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Given this, EPA and DOT's claim that prices will "remain low," and not "rise significantly" appears flawed.

Columbia University

The chairwoman of the commission, Roslynn R. Mauskopf, said, "There clearly is evidence that shows that the Board of Education at Livingston Street knew that their plan was flawed significantly".

The New York Times

Quantitative studies that are based on the Indo-European Lexical Cognacy Database (IELex, http://ielex.mpi.nl/), whose goal was to significantly enhance the notoriously flawed database composed by 52, still yield subgroupings that contradict traditional genetic classification (compare, for example, the strange grouping of Polish in 13 and 54).

BioEssays

This strategy has been shown to significantly delay virological failure [20], [21], yet it is flawed by its high psychological and physical burden [22].

Plosone

Mathematical estimates of GFR and creatinine clearance are flawed in the critically ill, and will tend to significantly under-estimate renal function in those with ARC.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "significantly flawed", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific areas or aspects where the flaws are present. This adds clarity and strengthens your critique.

Common error

Avoid using "significantly flawed" to describe minor imperfections. This phrase should be reserved for situations where the flaws have a substantial impact on the overall quality, functionality, or validity of something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significantly flawed" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun to indicate that the subject has major and impactful imperfections, as illustrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significantly flawed" is a descriptive adjective phrase used to denote substantial imperfections in a subject. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and functions to express criticism or highlight weaknesses. While appropriate across various registers, it's most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly outlines the specific flaws. Alternatives such as "seriously defective" or "deeply flawed" can provide nuanced variations, as we explored. Remember that using "significantly flawed" should be reserved for impactful flaws, avoiding its application to minor imperfections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seriously defective

Emphasizes a severe level of imperfection or malfunction.

deeply flawed

Highlights the profound and fundamental nature of the flaws.

critically deficient

Indicates a crucial lack or inadequacy in something.

majorly imperfect

Stresses the considerable extent of the imperfection.

substantially impaired

Suggests a significant reduction in quality or functionality.

badly damaged

Focuses on the damage aspect, implying it's extensive.

severely compromised

Highlights the negative impact on integrity or effectiveness.

fundamentally unsound

Points to a core weakness in the foundation or structure.

markedly substandard

Emphasizes that it falls well below the expected quality.

woefully inadequate

Indicates a deplorably insufficient or unacceptable condition.

FAQs

How can I use "significantly flawed" in a sentence?

You can use "significantly flawed" to describe anything that has major imperfections. For example: "The research methodology was "significantly flawed", leading to unreliable results."

What are some alternatives to "significantly flawed"?

Alternatives include "seriously defective", "deeply flawed", or "critically deficient", depending on the specific context and the nature of the flaws.

Is it appropriate to use "significantly flawed" in formal writing?

Yes, "significantly flawed" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe substantial imperfections.

What's the difference between "flawed" and "significantly flawed"?

"Flawed" simply means having imperfections. "Significantly flawed" indicates that the imperfections are substantial and have a major impact.