systemic failings

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "systemic failings" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe fundamental issues or deficiencies within a system, organization, or process that affect its overall functioning. Example: "The report highlighted several systemic failings in the healthcare system that need to be addressed to improve patient outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So far, donors have naturally focused on the immediate emergency rather than on the systemic failings of health systems in the three countries.

The Guardian

The systemic failings of the British system will not be cured by exhorting parliamentarians to meet the challenge of the democratic deficit, or even by creating a better voting system for parliament.

The Guardian

The case involving the Met and the CPS concerned systemic failings within the criminal justice system which led to the name and address of a child witness being handed over to the members of a violent gang.

The Guardian

Further systemic failings, this time in the prison system, were also laid bare in a September governmental review headed up by Labour minister David Lammy.

Vice

Nearly one in ten Americans struggle with an alcohol or drug addiction, and due to massive systemic failings in our healthcare and judicial systems, only 11percentt of people with addiction issues are able to get treatment for their problems.

Vice

We need to talk about responses, supports and systemic failings.

The Guardian - Opinion

In February, an independent inquiry found the trust "routinely neglected" patients and displayed "systemic failings".

The Guardian

More broadly, the cases expose systemic failings in the administration of the death penalty in Texas.

The New York Times

The story of Birmingham is the story of systemic failings in the government's policy.

The Guardian

"There have been enormous systemic failings around how the NHS has handled complaints.

The Guardian

The IPCC inquiry found individual and systemic failings in the Met.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "systemic failings" to prompt a comprehensive review of processes and policies, rather than focusing solely on individual accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "systemic failings" when referring to isolated incidents or individual errors. "Systemic failings" indicates a widespread, deeply rooted problem within a system, not just a one-off mistake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "systemic failings" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies problems that are not isolated incidents, but are inherent within the structure and operation of a system, as suggested by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "systemic failings" effectively communicates deeply embedded issues within systems, organizations, or processes. Ludwig highlights that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media, as well as in formal business and scientific contexts. The phrase signifies that problems are not isolated incidents but are rooted in the structure and operation of the entity in question. When using "systemic failings", it's crucial to ensure it accurately reflects widespread problems, differentiating it from individual errors. Alternatives like "systemic flaws" or "institutional weaknesses" can provide nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

systemic flaws

Replaces "failings" with "flaws", suggesting inherent defects.

systemic deficiencies

Substitutes "failings" with "deficiencies", highlighting inadequacies.

systemic shortfalls

Replaces "failings" with "shortfalls", focusing on deficits or lacks.

institutional weaknesses

Changes "systemic" to "institutional" and "failings" to "weaknesses", emphasizing organizational vulnerabilities.

structural inadequacies

Replaces "systemic" with "structural" and "failings" with "inadequacies", pointing to fundamental design flaws.

fundamental problems

Broadens the scope to general "problems" that are "fundamental" rather than specifically "systemic".

deep-seated issues

Uses a more figurative expression implying the problems are long-standing and difficult to resolve.

underlying weaknesses

Focuses on the "weaknesses" that "underlie" a system, rather than its explicit "failings".

inherent limitations

Shifts the perspective to the "limitations" that are "inherent" within the system, suggesting unavoidable constraints.

pervasive defects

Highlights the "defects" that are "pervasive", meaning they spread throughout the system.

FAQs

What does "systemic failings" mean?

The phrase "systemic failings" refers to fundamental flaws or deficiencies that are inherent within a system, organization, or process. These are not isolated incidents but rather deeply embedded issues affecting the system's overall performance and reliability.

How do "systemic failings" differ from individual errors?

"Systemic failings" indicate widespread, deeply rooted problems within a system, while individual errors are isolated mistakes made by individuals. Addressing "systemic failings" requires broader changes to processes and policies, not just individual accountability.

What are some alternative phrases to "systemic failings"?

You can use alternatives like "systemic flaws", "systemic deficiencies", or "institutional weaknesses" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

How can I identify "systemic failings" in an organization?

Look for patterns of errors, recurring issues, and widespread non-compliance with policies. Investigate whether the existing processes and structures contribute to these problems. Analyzing root causes rather than focusing solely on symptoms can help uncover "systemic failings".