as a drawback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a drawback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a negative aspect or disadvantage of a situation or decision. Example: "The new software is efficient; however, as a drawback, it requires a steep learning curve."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the squabbling is often seen as a drawback.

The Economist

His gift for accommodating eclectic tastes while obeying sound design principles was seen as a drawback.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By contrast, the survey showed, 19 percent viewed such a pledge as a drawback.

The New York Times

As a drawback, the PIDS polymeric membrane showed a limited adherence on the electrode surface.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

Both approaches have, as a drawback, the high computational time to obtain an acceptable solution.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

Poor transient performance is considered as a drawback of model reference adaptive control.

Journal of the Franklin Institute

People have been treating Justin Welby's Etonian background as a drawback for his role as archbishop of Canterbury.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is no room service, which doesn't count as a drawback because you're not meant to stay in here.

The New York Times - Travel

That is because a minimum specimen size for artifacts is often mentioned as a drawback of pXRF-based sourcing.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

As a drawback, the CC approach may involve high fixed costs due to the need for suitable manufacturing systems.

Procedia Computer Science

The radicalism of single payer has long been seen as a drawback, but Mr. Sanders has arguably used it to his advantage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a drawback", ensure it clearly introduces a specific disadvantage or negative consequence related to the preceding statement. This helps maintain clarity and logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as a drawback" excessively, which can make your writing repetitive. Also, ensure the drawback you introduce is specific and not vaguely implied. Be explicit about what the negative aspect entails.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a drawback" functions as an adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a disadvantage, limitation, or negative aspect related to a preceding statement. Ludwig's examples illustrate its role in connecting a statement with its associated negative consequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a drawback" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to introduce a negative aspect or disadvantage. It is grammatically correct and commonly found in scientific, news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage. While phrases like "as a disadvantage" or "as a downside" can serve as alternatives, "as a drawback" remains a reliable choice for clearly signaling limitations or negative consequences in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a disadvantage

Directly replaces "drawback" with "disadvantage", maintaining similar meaning.

as a downside

Substitutes "drawback" with "downside", offering a slightly more informal tone.

the downside of

Highlights the negative side of something.

on the downside

Highlights the negative side of something, and used as an introductory clause.

a negative aspect is

Rephrases to emphasize the negative nature of the aspect.

one limitation is

Focuses on the limiting factor presented by the drawback.

a weakness of

Highlights the flaw or vulnerability inherent in the situation.

a shortcoming is

Indicates a deficiency or imperfection.

a significant con is

Introduces a notable disadvantage.

detrimental effect of

Emphasizes the harmful impact of the drawback.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a drawback" to introduce a disadvantage or negative aspect. For example, "The new software is efficient; however, "as a drawback", it requires a steep learning curve."

What are some alternatives to "as a drawback"?

Alternatives include "as a disadvantage", "as a downside", or "one limitation is", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "as a drawback" or "as a disadvantage"?

As a drawback and "as a disadvantage" are quite similar in formality, but "as a disadvantage" might be perceived as slightly more formal in certain contexts.

When should I use "as a drawback" versus "however"?

Use "as a drawback" when you specifically want to introduce a negative aspect or limitation related to the preceding statement. "However" is a more general contrastive conjunction that doesn't necessarily highlight a disadvantage.