drawback

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "drawback" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a negative consequence that results from a particular action or situation. For example, "One of the drawbacks of working from home is that it can be difficult to separate your personal and professional lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Potential drawback The fact you can't book in advance can be a problem, particularly if you've got a long journey ahead.

The Guardian - Travel

And the age of British fields is not the only drawback for oil companies, which operate and allocate capital globally.

The Economist

Although useful, such meta-analyses do have a significant drawback: they can't include research that didn't make it into the journals.

The Economist

Several regulators trying different approaches should reveal more about what leads to the most smoothly functioning securities markets.Spiralling up or down?At first sight, one drawback seems obvious.

The Economist

There is only one drawback.

The Economist

But they also have a drawback.

The Economist

It eliminates the main drawback of conventional email: not knowing whether a message has been received and read, or is buried somewhere in an overflowing mailbox.

The Economist

The drawback of Goldman's proprietary system is that it relies on a single marketmaker, which depresses liquidity.NASDAQ fancies itself as the industry standard but faces difficulties of its own.

The Economist

In theory, the Internet ought to allow South African IT companies to overcome the drawback of being far from big markets.

The Economist

Such a person has the objective view of the outsider without the complete ignorance that is the outsider's main drawback.

The Economist

Mathematically, the two are almost decoupled.The drawback of failing to measure the tail beyond 99% is that it could leave out some reasonably common but devastating losses.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drawback", clearly specify what it is a drawback of. For instance, instead of just saying "the drawback is…", say "a drawback of this approach is…".

Common error

Avoid using "drawback" when the negative aspect is minor or easily mitigated. Choose a milder term like "inconvenience" or "slight issue" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "drawback" is as a noun. It typically functions as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a disadvantage or negative aspect. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples of the term in context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "drawback" is a commonly used noun to indicate a disadvantage or negative aspect of something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's grammatically sound and applicable in diverse contexts. Its usage is neutral, fitting for news, business, and scientific writing. When employing "drawback", remember to clearly identify what is a drawback of, and choose alternative terms like ""disadvantage"" or "downside" based on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disadvantage

Direct synonym with very similar meaning.

downside

A common term implying a negative aspect or disadvantage.

shortcoming

Emphasizes a deficiency or flaw.

weakness

Highlights an area of vulnerability or lack of strength.

limitation

Indicates a restriction or boundary.

impediment

Suggests something that hinders or obstructs progress.

flaw

Points out an imperfection or defect.

snag

Implies a hidden difficulty or problem.

hitch

Suggests a temporary problem or obstacle.

detriment

Focuses on the harm or damage caused.

FAQs

How to use "drawback" in a sentence?

You can use "drawback" to refer to a disadvantage or negative aspect of something. For example, "The main "disadvantage" of living in the city is the high cost of living."

What can I say instead of "drawback"?

You can use alternatives like ""disadvantage"", "downside", or "shortcoming" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "drawback" or "setback"?

"Drawback" refers to a disadvantage or negative aspect, while "setback" refers to a delay or obstacle to progress.

What's the difference between "drawback" and "limitation"?

"Drawback" is a more general term for a disadvantage, while "limitation" specifically refers to a restriction or boundary that affects what something can do.