the pitfall is that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the pitfall is that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce a potential problem or disadvantage associated with a particular situation or decision. Example: "The pitfall is that relying solely on technology can lead to a lack of critical thinking skills among students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The pitfall is that the SPD tends to be soft in its criticism of Russia over human rights and other issues look at the behaviour of the present SPD foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Frank-Walter Steinmeier

The Economist

However, the pitfall is that there are now companies that have auction-rate security on their books, on their balance sheets, and the auditors are not permitting them to report it as cash, because it's a frozen asset.

Forbes

The pitfall is that it increases the system overhead, and parallel computation mechanism is required for varying the bit rate and it is tedious for a constantly switching network.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

One of the pitfalls is that apparently most DNA precipitates prepared from yeast contain debris of the yeast outer membranes that appears to be toxic for most competent bacteria.

Biological Procedures Online

If speed is one of the drivers, he continues, "then one of the pitfalls is that you may miss something".

The Guardian

The pitfalls are that it is highly bureaucratic, regulations can be confusing and sometimes implementation can be inconsistent.

The New York Times

The pitfalls were that I didn't much ever see a reflection of myself.

Huffington Post

The pitfalls are that intron/exon boundaries within the probes may have a large effect and we need to distinguish CNV's from sequence divergence.

BMC Genomics

The potential pitfall is that the companies are so similar that investors may decide to invest in one or the other but not both.

Forbes

The main pitfall is that the final view is based on general beliefs rather than on actual client information.

BMC Public Health

Putting lots of data online may look good but make no real difference.Trapped in the fogOne pitfall is that measuring the impacts of open governance as clearly as Mr Svensson believes he did in Uganda is hard.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the pitfall is that" to clearly and directly introduce a potential negative consequence or problem associated with a specific action, decision or situation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of "the pitfall is that" in informal conversation or writing can make your communication sound overly formal or stiff. Consider using more casual alternatives like "the problem is" or "the downside is" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the pitfall is that" functions as a clause introducer, specifically used to highlight a potential problem, risk, or disadvantage associated with a particular situation or course of action. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the pitfall is that" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce potential problems or disadvantages. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its usage frequency is rare. It appears more often in News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. When writing, use it to clearly highlight a potential negative aspect, but avoid overuse in informal contexts. Consider alternatives like "the drawback is that" for similar meanings. Overall, the phrase serves as a useful tool for cautioning about potential downsides in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the drawback is that

Focuses on negative aspects or disadvantages.

the downside is that

Highlights the negative aspects or disadvantages involved.

the problem is that

Directly identifies an issue or obstacle.

the risk is that

Emphasizes the potential for negative consequences.

a potential issue is

Introduces a possible problem or complication.

a concern is that

Expresses a worry or apprehension about a particular outcome.

the main challenge is

Highlights the primary difficulty or obstacle to overcome.

a key obstacle is

Indicates a significant barrier or impediment.

the catch is that

Suggests a hidden or unexpected disadvantage.

the limitation is that

Points out a restriction or constraint.

FAQs

What does "the pitfall is that" mean?

The phrase "the pitfall is that" introduces a potential problem, disadvantage, or negative consequence related to a specific situation or decision.

How can I use "the pitfall is that" in a sentence?

You can use "the pitfall is that" to introduce a potential problem: "The strategy seems promising, but "the pitfall is that" it might be too expensive to implement."

What are some alternatives to "the pitfall is that"?

Alternatives to "the pitfall is that" include "the drawback is that", "the downside is that", or "the problem is that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "the pitfall is that"?

"The pitfall is that" is appropriate when you want to clearly and directly highlight a potential negative aspect or risk associated with a particular course of action or situation. It's suitable for both formal and neutral contexts.