2. Writing about disadvantages

disadvantage

noun [countable] a bad feature that something has, which makes it less good, less useful etc than other things:

• The main disadvantage of this book is its price.

• These vaccines have two serious disadvantages. Firstly, they are not 100% effective, and secondly, they are expensive to make.

• A major disadvantage of using large quantities of chemicals is that they quickly get absorbed into soil.

drawback

noun [countable] a disadvantage which makes you think that something is not so good, even though it has other advantages:

• The major drawback of this method is that it can be very time-consuming.

• Aluminium is very light and also very strong. Its main drawback is that it cools down very rapidly.

• Summer in the Scottish islands can be beautiful. The only drawback is the weather, which can be very changeable.

downside

noun [singular] the disadvantage of a situation that in most other ways seems good or enjoyable:

• The downside of running your own business is that you are responsible if anything goes wrong.

• Everyone wants to be rich and famous, but it does have its downside.

• Most comfort eaters enjoy what they eat, but the downside is that they soon start to put on weight.

bad point

noun [countable] a bad feature that something has:

• There are good points and bad points about single sex schools.

• For all its bad points, and there are many, it is still the best software system of its kind available.