a major drawback of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major drawback of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant disadvantage or negative aspect of something. Example: "A major drawback of this new software is its high cost, which may deter potential users."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Weight is a major drawback of the ViewPad.

The New York Times - Tech

A major drawback of reverse mortgages is high closing costs.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times - Tech

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

A major drawback of T.P.A. is that it must be given as a continuous 90-minute infusion.

The New York Times

But those incentives might be blinding some parents to a major drawback of many of the plans: high fees.

The New York Times

One of the project's goals was to overcome a major drawback of many operating systems of the day.

The Economist

A major drawback of cellulosic fibers is flammability.

Composites Part B: Engineering

It has a major drawback of losing the temporal information.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

This is a major drawback of this distribution.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

A major drawback of multi-effect processors is that they are digital.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a major drawback of", ensure you clearly articulate what the drawback leads to or impacts. Providing specific consequences adds weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a major drawback of" for minor inconveniences. Reserve this phrase for significant issues that substantially affect the subject being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major drawback of" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a significant disadvantage or negative consequence associated with a particular subject. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is used correctly and is fit for multiple applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major drawback of" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression used to introduce a significant disadvantage or limitation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appropriate in various writing contexts. Its usage is particularly frequent in scientific literature and news articles, as evidenced by the frequent appearance of sources like The New York Times and ScienceDirect among the top authoritative sources. When employing this phrase, consider providing specific details to enhance its impact and avoid using it for trivial issues. Alternatives such as "a significant disadvantage of" or "a key limitation of" can be used for similar effect while diversifying your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant disadvantage of

Replaces "drawback" with "disadvantage" and "major" with "significant", emphasizing the negative aspect.

the chief disadvantage of

Uses "chief" instead of "major" and "drawback" with "disadvantage", indicating the most important negative aspect.

a serious disadvantage with

Replaces "major" with "serious", emphasizing gravity or importance.

a key limitation of

Substitutes "drawback" with "limitation" and "major" with "key", focusing on restrictions or constraints.

a primary weakness of

Replaces "drawback" with "weakness" and "major" with "primary", highlighting vulnerabilities.

the biggest downside to

Uses "downside" instead of "drawback" and "biggest" instead of "major", conveying a negative consequence.

a notable shortcoming of

Replaces "drawback" with "shortcoming" and "major" with "notable", focusing on imperfections or failures.

a substantial impediment to

Substitutes "drawback" with "impediment" and "major" with "substantial", indicating a barrier or obstacle.

a critical flaw in

Replaces "drawback" with "flaw" and "major" with "critical", stressing a defect or imperfection.

the main deficiency in

Uses "deficiency" instead of "drawback" and "main" instead of "major", highlighting a lack or inadequacy.

FAQs

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

Use "a major drawback of" to introduce a significant disadvantage or negative aspect. For example: "A major drawback of solar energy is its dependence on weather conditions."

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

You can use alternatives like "a significant disadvantage of", "a key limitation of", or "a primary weakness of" depending on the context.

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

The choice depends on the severity of the issue you are describing. "A major drawback" indicates a substantial problem, while "a minor drawback" suggests a less significant issue.

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

While "a drawback" simply indicates a disadvantage, "a major drawback" emphasizes the significance or severity of that disadvantage. It suggests the drawback has considerable impact.