Drawback: a disadvantage of an option

The idea

It is countable: a drawback, two drawbacks. Say a drawback of or a drawback to something.

Examples

• The main drawback of the apartment is its distance from the station.
• Working from home has benefits, but isolation can be a drawback.
• One drawback to this plan is the cost of training staff.
• Before choosing the train, Amir considered its drawbacks.
• The team weighed the benefits against the drawbacks of a shorter event.
• A potential drawback of the new app is that it requires a constant connection.

Watch out

A drawback is a negative feature, not a benefit; an option can have both.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the word for a disadvantage. The only ___ of the bike is its weight. (drawback / benefit)

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   drawback

   Drawback identifies the bike’s disadvantage: its weight.

2. Choose the plural form. There are two ___ to renting this office. (drawback / drawbacks)

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   drawbacks

   Drawbacks is plural because the sentence mentions two.

3. Choose the natural preposition. The price is a drawback ___ the proposal. (of / from)

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   of

   Of connects the disadvantage to the proposal.

Use it today

Describe an option and explain one drawback.