substantially flawed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantially flawed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has significant defects or shortcomings, often in a formal or analytical context. Example: "The report was deemed substantially flawed due to its lack of supporting evidence and numerous inaccuracies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In 2009, Bates wrote, the court found that its approval of a government interpretation of section 215 of the Patriot Act to justify the bulk collection of all Americans' phone records – a different authority than section 702 of the Fisa Amendments Act – was substantially flawed.

The Guardian

As such, many of Evans's theoretical contentions, including the 'grand principle' of steam he develops to guide the mathematical modelling of pressure and fuel in steam engines, were substantially flawed.

Wikipedia

He shows by different methods that the claim is substantially flawed.

eLife

This disagreement implies that at least some of the GCMs are substantially flawed in their representation of the climate in this region (Christensen et al. 2007; Cook and Vizy 2006).

Environmental Health Perspectives

Representative Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, said the decision by Mr. Obama to involve the United States military in the effort to dislodge Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi from power in Libya was "substantially flawed" and did not meet the criteria of protecting the national interest.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Libor has already been substantially changed, but some regulators in the United States have said that Libor is too flawed to be fixed and should be replaced.

The New York Times

Albeit flawed.

Independent

Flawed tools.

Harvard Business Review

Very flawed.

The New Yorker

Flawed, perhaps?

The Guardian - Opinion

Flawed assumptions go unchallenged.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantially flawed", ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific nature and impact of the flaw to avoid ambiguity. For a more impactful statement, follow this phrase immediately with a clarification.

Common error

Avoid using "substantially flawed" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very flawed" or "seriously wrong" to maintain a natural tone. This phrase is more suited for analytical or formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantially flawed" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that it has significant defects or shortcomings. Ludwig shows that is frequently used in formal and analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantially flawed" is a formal adjective phrase used to describe something with significant defects. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and predominantly appears in News & Media and Scientific contexts. For less formal situations, alternatives like "very flawed" might be more appropriate. When employing this phrase, ensure that the nature and impact of the flaw are clearly indicated to avoid ambiguity. The phrase is not very frequent, so consider if the context needs that level of detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

badly flawed

A more direct and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

significantly defective

Focuses on the degree of the flaw, highlighting its impact.

seriously impaired

Emphasizes the impact of the flaw on functionality or performance.

critically deficient

Highlights a key missing element or a severe lack of quality.

fundamentally unsound

Indicates a problem with the basic principles or foundations.

deeply problematic

Focuses on the troublesome nature and potential consequences of the flaw.

majorly imperfect

Emphasizes the imperfection of something in a big way.

severely wanting

Highlights a significant lack or absence of required qualities.

grossly inadequate

Emphasizes the insufficiency or unacceptability of something due to its flaws.

materially deficient

Focuses on the substantial lack of necessary components or qualities.

FAQs

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

Use "substantially flawed" to describe something with significant defects or shortcomings. For example: "The research methodology was "substantially flawed", leading to unreliable results."

What are some alternatives to saying "substantially flawed"?

You can use alternatives like "significantly defective", "seriously impaired", or "fundamentally unsound" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "flawed" or "substantially flawed"?

"Substantially flawed" emphasizes the severity or significance of the flaws, while "flawed" is a more general term. Choose ""substantially flawed"" when you want to highlight that the flaws are considerable and impactful.

What does "substantially flawed" imply?

It implies that something has significant shortcomings or defects that negatively affect its quality, reliability, or effectiveness. The adjective "substantial" suggests that the flaws are not minor or superficial.