have drawbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have drawbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a situation or an object has drawbacks or drawbacks associated with it. For example, "Online shopping can be convenient but it also has drawbacks, such as the inability to try something on before buying it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But all have drawbacks.

The Economist

Recent changes have drawbacks.

The New Yorker

But both have drawbacks.

The New York Times

But they have drawbacks.

The New York Times

But contractors have drawbacks.

The Economist

But hydrogels have drawbacks.

The New York Times - Science

Both approaches have drawbacks.

The New York Times

Artemisinin drugs have drawbacks.

The New York Times - Health

Both might have drawbacks.

The New York Times

Blogs have drawbacks.

The New York Times

The building does have drawbacks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have drawbacks", be specific about what those drawbacks are. Provide concrete examples or explanations to support your statement.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "This plan has drawbacks" without specifying what they are. Instead, provide specific details, such as "This plan has drawbacks, including high initial costs and limited flexibility."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have drawbacks" functions as a verb phrase used to attribute negative qualities or disadvantages to a particular subject. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's commonly used to point out limitations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have drawbacks" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate the presence of disadvantages or limitations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. While it appears most frequently in news and media, it is also prevalent in scientific and encyclopedic content. When using "have drawbacks", it's essential to specify the nature of these drawbacks to provide a clear and informative evaluation. Alternatives include phrases like "possess limitations" and "come with downsides". Remember that identifying and articulating these drawbacks strengthens your analysis and enhances clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come with downsides

Informal way to indicate negative aspects or drawbacks.

present disadvantages

Emphasizes the unfavorable aspects or downsides.

possess limitations

Focuses on inherent restrictions or constraints.

exhibit shortcomings

Points out imperfections or inadequacies.

suffer from weaknesses

Indicates a vulnerability or deficiency.

are not without problems

A more emphatic way of saying something has issues.

entail complications

Highlights the potential for difficulties or problems.

involve compromises

Suggests a trade-off or concession is necessary.

pose challenges

Emphasizes the difficulty or obstacles involved.

carry risks

Highlights potential dangers or negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "have drawbacks" in a sentence?

You can use "have drawbacks" to point out the disadvantages of something, as in "While solar energy is clean, it does "have drawbacks", such as its dependence on weather conditions".

What are some alternatives to saying "have drawbacks"?

Instead of "have drawbacks", you could say "present disadvantages", "possess limitations", or "come with downsides" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "has drawbacks" or "have drawbacks"?

"Has drawbacks" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "This method has drawbacks"), while "have drawbacks" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "These methods have drawbacks").

What's the difference between "have drawbacks" and "have advantages"?

"Have drawbacks" refers to negative aspects or disadvantages, while "have advantages" refers to positive aspects or benefits. Something can "have drawbacks" and "have advantages" simultaneously.