a big drawback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big drawback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant disadvantage or negative aspect of something. Example: "While the new software has many features, a big drawback is its high cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The minerals minister says Mozambique could be earning $5.2 billion a year from natural gas by 2026.Poor infrastructure is a big drawback for investors.

The Economist

Millipede still suffers a big drawback of mechanical systems.

The New York Times - Science

But they also have a big drawback: they are slow.

The Economist

A big drawback is that there is no offline functionality.

The New York Times - Tech

However, the brittleness of PLA is a big drawback for its wide application.

Polymer

But there's a big drawback in starting with true potato seed.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

A Pew poll last year found 51percentt of U.S. adults say they would be less likely to vote for a presidential candidate who does not believe in God — a bigger drawback than having an extramarital affair or having financial troubles.

The Washington Post

A bigger drawback for business blogging - and one reason why Scoble moved his book blog to Six Apart's commercial TypePad service - is that a Spaces blog cannot easily have more than one author.

The Guardian - Tech

But a bigger drawback was the property boom of the mid-2000s: this prompted the developer to bid too high for the site, causing it to price many of the flats at well over C$1m each.

The Economist

A bigger drawback for some consumers will be the noise.

Los Angeles Times

No Flash support, posits VentureBeat's Anthony Ha. "The absence of Flash may not seem like a big deal," he writes, "but if Apple wants this to be a serious computing device … that's a pretty big drawback".

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify the impact of the drawback whenever possible to emphasize its importance. For example, "A big drawback is the 20% reduction in battery life."

Common error

Avoid using "a big drawback" for minor inconveniences. Reserve this phrase for genuinely significant disadvantages that substantially affect the subject being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big drawback" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes a significant disadvantage or negative aspect. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big drawback" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase to emphasize a significant disadvantage or negative aspect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, including news, academic, and business writing. While alternatives such as "a major disadvantage" or "a significant downside" exist, "a big drawback" remains a versatile and impactful choice. Remember to use this phrase when you want to clearly highlight a substantial problem or limitation. The frequency of its use across authoritative sources underscores its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major disadvantage

Emphasizes the significance of the disadvantage.

a significant downside

Focuses on the negative aspect or consequence.

a serious limitation

Highlights the restrictive nature of the drawback.

a considerable handicap

Stresses the hindering effect of the drawback.

a notable weakness

Points out a specific area of deficiency.

a key impediment

Highlights the obstructive nature of the drawback.

a substantial obstacle

Focuses on the difficulty posed by the drawback.

a critical flaw

Emphasizes the severity of the defect.

a major stumbling block

Highlights the hindering effect on progress.

a primary concern

Indicates that the drawback is a significant point of worry.

FAQs

How can I use "a big drawback" in a sentence?

You can use "a big drawback" to highlight a significant disadvantage or negative aspect of something. For example, "A big drawback of this plan is the potential for increased costs."

What can I say instead of "a big drawback"?

You can use alternatives like "a major disadvantage", "a significant downside", or "a serious limitation" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a big drawback" or "a major drawback"?

Both "a big drawback" and "a major drawback" are acceptable. The choice depends on personal preference, though "a major drawback" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "a drawback" and "a big drawback"?

While "a drawback" indicates a disadvantage, "a big drawback" emphasizes that the disadvantage is significant or substantial.