the sole downside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the sole downside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight the only negative aspect of a situation or item being discussed. Example: "The sole downside of this new software is its high cost, but the features it offers are worth the investment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The sole downside to its early (and sustained) excellence: the done once and forevermore clicking of the right stick to highlight nearby collectibles with a golden glow.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(As I've noted earlier, however, NatSpeak works with amazing speed AND accuracy on a Macintosh running Boot Camp. That's Apple's free utility that lets you install Windows on an Intel-based Mac; its sole downside is that you have to restart the computer each time you want to switch operating systems).

The New York Times - Tech

The only downside?

Huffington Post

The only downside about Sherlock.

WikiHow

The sole company that Merrill Lynch believes could have a downside revenue surprise is RF Micro Devices.

Forbes

(Cotton was the sole nay).

The New Yorker

I am the sole author.

The New Yorker

And I'm still the sole breadwinner.

The New York Times

Trudo is not the sole owner.

The New York Times

For them, the sole issue was financing.

The New York Times - Arts

The Roosevelts were the sole triumph.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sole downside" to succinctly highlight the only negative aspect of something when you want to provide a balanced view. It helps to avoid overstating the negatives while still acknowledging them.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole downside" when the negative aspect is actually quite significant or overshadows the positives. In such cases, it can come across as an understatement or a way to diminish the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole downside" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and singles out a particular disadvantage. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it highlights the unique negative aspect of a situation. It often precedes a description or explanation of this specific drawback.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sole downside" is a phrase used to indicate the single negative aspect of something, typically when the overall assessment is positive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not overly common, it's found mainly in News & Media and neutral contexts. When employing the expression, make sure that it is the only negative aspect and not understating the real issue. Alternatives include "the only drawback" or "the single disadvantage".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the only disadvantage

Replaces "downside" with a direct synonym, maintaining the singular focus on a negative aspect.

the single drawback

Uses "drawback" instead of "downside", offering a slightly more formal tone.

the one shortcoming

Replaces "downside" with "shortcoming", focusing on an inadequacy.

the only limitation

Substitutes "downside" with "limitation", highlighting a restriction or constraint.

just one negative aspect

Offers a more descriptive and less idiomatic way of expressing the same idea.

the single negative

A more concise version, emphasizing the singular and negative nature of the issue.

the main problem

Shifts the focus to the primary issue, which might not always be a minor "downside".

the solitary flaw

Similar to "chief defect" but slightly less formal, using "flaw" to indicate an imperfection.

the chief defect

Employs more formal language, with "chief" and "defect" implying a significant flaw.

the solitary pitfall

Uses a more metaphorical term, "pitfall", to describe the single negative aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "the sole downside" in a sentence?

You can use "the sole downside" to point out the only negative aspect of something, for example: "The sole downside is the price, but the quality is excellent."

What phrases are similar to "the sole downside"?

Alternatives to "the sole downside" include "the only drawback", "the only limitation", or "the single disadvantage". They all serve to highlight the one negative aspect of something.

Is it better to say "the sole downside" or "the only downside"?

"The sole downside" and "the only downside" are very similar in meaning. "Sole" emphasizes that there is truly only one negative aspect, perhaps more strongly than "only", but they're often interchangeable.

What's the difference between "the sole downside" and "a downside"?

"The sole downside" indicates that there is only one negative aspect to consider. "A downside", on the other hand, suggests that there may be other negative aspects as well.