Trong văn viết, ta có thể dùng những từ hoặc những cụm từ sau đây đề viết về những bất lợi hoặc nhược điểm của một cái gì đó:

1. Disadvantage (bất lợi) [countable noun]: 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.

2. Drawback (hạn chế) [countable noun]: 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.
• Aluminum is very light and also very strong. However, 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.

3. Downside (nhược điểm) [singular noun]: 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.

4. Bad point (điểm yếu) [countable noun]: 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 availability.

Source: Longman Essay Activator

Phạm Quốc Thiện
Giáo Viên Tiếng Anh – Trường Quốc tế Á Châu