a major drawback

USAGE SUMMARY

'a major drawback' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used anytime you need to talk about an issue or obstacle that is significant and potentially difficult to overcome. For example, "The a major drawback to online learning is the lack of personal interaction with instructors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Compulsory figures had a major drawback, though.

The New York Times - Sports

Weight is a major drawback of the ViewPad.

The New York Times - Tech

"That is a major drawback," Mr. Hill said.

The New York Times

A major drawback of reverse mortgages is high closing costs.

The New York Times

But once they were installed, a major drawback appeared: no little soap indentations.

The New York Times - Travel

A major drawback of WordSmith is that it doesn't include a spelling checker.

The New York Times - Tech

Cocina's dining room is simple and pleasant but has a major drawback.

The New York Times - Food

But there was a major drawback, a new unpublished Army history of the war concludes.

The New York Times

However, a major drawback of exit interviews is false or misleading responses from employees.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A major drawback.

Forbes

Finland's small population is a major drawback.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major drawback", be specific about what the drawback is and its impact. Clearly articulate the negative consequence or limitation to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a major drawback" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for genuinely significant disadvantages to maintain credibility and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major drawback" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a significant disadvantage or limitation associated with a particular subject. Ludwig examples confirm its use in highlighting negative aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Unknown/unmatched sources

13%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major drawback" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for indicating a significant disadvantage. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It appears frequently in scientific and news-related contexts, highlighting its relevance in analytical and informative writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the drawback is indeed significant and clearly articulated to maintain the impact and credibility of your statement. Alternatives like "a significant disadvantage" or "a key limitation" can be used for variety, but "a major drawback" remains a strong and direct choice for emphasizing a notable negative aspect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant disadvantage

Replaces "drawback" with a more general term for disadvantage, maintaining the emphasis on significance.

a chief disadvantage

Synonymous alteration by employing a formal word "chief".

a key limitation

Substitutes "drawback" with "limitation", focusing on the restrictive aspect of the issue.

a substantial impediment

Uses a stronger word, "impediment", to indicate a more obstructive disadvantage.

a considerable weakness

Replaces "drawback" with "weakness", highlighting a vulnerability or flaw.

a notable flaw

Focuses on the imperfection aspect, using "flaw" instead of "drawback".

a serious downside

Offers a more informal alternative, using "downside" to convey a negative aspect.

a critical problem

Replaces "drawback" with "problem", emphasizing the problematic nature of the issue.

a severe shortcoming

Highlights the deficiency aspect, using "shortcoming" in place of "drawback".

a major obstacle

Focuses on the hindering aspect, using "obstacle" to describe something that blocks progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major drawback" to point out a significant disadvantage of something. For example, "A major drawback of this plan is its high cost."

What are some alternatives to saying "a major drawback"?

Some alternatives include "a significant disadvantage", "a key limitation", or "a substantial impediment", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "a major drawback" or "a serious downside"?

"A major drawback" is generally considered more formal than "a serious downside", which is more conversational.

What is the difference between "a major drawback" and "a minor inconvenience"?

"A major drawback" refers to a substantial disadvantage that can significantly impact something, whereas "a minor inconvenience" is a small, often trivial, problem.