#191: Talking about Pros & Cons in English

Over the past several weeks, I’ve shared lessons on how to offer suggestions, which is perfect for brainstorming and throwing ideas out there. I also shared a lesson on how to show support for someone else’s idea.
But at some point, when you’re considering options, you or your team have to make a decision. And for that, we need to talk about the pros and cons.
There’s a fantastic collocation we use when we want to discuss the pros and cons: to weigh the pros and cons.
When a decision is needed, someone may suggest: Let’s weigh the pros and cons.
Such a conversation is particularly helpful when there isn’t a clear winner or when you feel there are no good options.
Similarly, you may talk about the pros and cons when you want to weigh an issue.
I recently shared a lesson on political vocabulary. Today’s lesson on the pros and cons in English can also be useful when considering the advantages and disadvantages of a political policy or candidate.
In today’s Confident English lesson, you’ll learn a variety of new words you can use PLUS common sentence starters to use.
In the video below, I also mention the following lessons that may be helpful to you:
Talking about the Pros and Cons in English
Synonyms for Pros
The following words and phrases are often used when discussing the pros of an issue.
- One/A Benefit
- One/An Upside
- One/An Advantage
- One/A Positive
- One/A Good side
- One/a Plus
- One point in favor of/in support of
- An argument in favor of
- To be in favor of
- One reason to be in favor of/in support of (note difference between this and the next)
- One reason I’m in favor of/ in support of
Synonyms for Cons
The following words and phrases are often used when discussing the cons of an issue.
- One/A Drawback
- One/A Downside
- One/A Disadvantage
- One/A Negative
- One/A Bad side
- One/ A Minus
- One criticism I have is…
- An argument against this is…
- To be against
- One reason to not be in favor of/in support of (note difference between this and the next)
- One reason I’m not in favor of/ in support of
When You Understand or Want to Consider Both Pros and Cons
- I can see both sides of the issue.
- I can see all sides of the issue.
Example Sentences for Talking about the Pros and Cons
- I’m in favor of increasing the spending limits on the ad campaign.
- One upside to delaying our launch is we can eliminate this bug in the software before any other customers encounter this problem.
- Certainly, one reason in favor of delaying the wedding is so you can have all your family and friends present to celebrate with you. Unfortunately, we just don’t know how long you may need to delay.
- One disadvantage of this medication is its potential for strong side effects, including nausea and headaches.
- One argument against delaying our product launch is the reality that our entire customer base expects us to launch on November 22 as promised.
- I don’t support Candidate B because I’m not in support of her tax policy.
Now it’s time for you to practice.
Are you in the process of weighing the pros and cons to make a decision? Try sharing an example sentence of your own to express your thoughts.
Also, if you loved my lesson on vocabulary for politics and elections, share an example sentence that highlights the pro or the con of a political issue.
As always, you can share your examples with me in the comments below. Plus, you can learn from others in the Confident English Community by reviewing their examples as well.
~Annemarie
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-Commuting to school by bus definitely takes more time than using my own mop, but an upside of this is that such public transport helps partly protect the environment.
-One reason I’m in favor of studying at home is that it allows me to be fully focused on my tasks and minimize distractions, which also increases my productivity.
An upside of watching your video is it allows me to keep improving my English skills.
This pandemic scenario shows me the benefits of work from home, nevertheless I believe that one disadvantage is that some colleagues take their time for granted working from home.
Good points, Evair, and nice work with the key vocabulary in this lesson.
In the pandemic, I am working from home. One advantage is that I could arrange to take care of my child. But one disadvantage is it’s hard to reach the deadline. So working from home has both sides for me. But I am in support of working from home because I think it’s necessary to against pandemic.
-One reason to be in favor of lock dawn is that we have had extra time to focus on our own self growth.
-One downside of online schools is that the students can’t learn manners any more.
-One argument against having a pet is that you don’t have time to look after him.
-I’m in support of having a gab year in high school because it diffidently helps teenagers to find their hobbies and real goals.
Excellent Nada! I love these examples. In your final example, I think you meant ‘gap’ as opposed to ‘gab.’ Is that right? I’ve never thought about the benefits of a gap year but I think you’re right. It’s a good opportunity for students to better evaluate what they want to do going forward.
it is the usual amazing way illustrating concepts with common examples.
I really like all seen YouTube lessons, thank you very much
Now in Spain there is one importan issue to discuss, will be able the Public Health System support the Covid-19 pandemia? In my opinion, don,t .it In this time the situation is completely out of control. The Spanish Health System have many advantages. One reason in favor is that every body can get the same benefits and facilities. This is an important good side and I,m totally in favorbut.Nowadeys in Spain people have a wrond idea that health is a consumable produts and with a pus, is totally free.It dont mine how many times people ask in the health center… Read more »
One argument against voting by post is that it is easy to cheat.
I’m in favor of increasing Zoom activity during the pandemic .
One disadvantage of climbing mountains is easily hurting your kneecap.
I’m in favour of reducing working hours at workplace.
One disadvantage against writing an e-mail is that you don’t know how quickly other person can read it and respond.
One reason I’m favor of wearing a mask is to reduce the Covid 19 infection
🙌Totally agree.
Since we humans are very often driven by impressions and are biased by predeterminations, it is very usefull to apply the objective practice of weghing pros and cons. The Lesson was very effective in describing the method in english speaking=thinking.
When I face any issue in my life, I’m in favour of weighing pros and cons of that issue to make a smart decision. I want to stay calm and positive and deliver my ideas in a much positive and respectful way to come across to a solution that benefits both sides of the issue. Thank you Annemarie for the sensational lesson, as usual it was helpful and magnificent. Have an amazing day.
Hi Annemarie,
Thank you for this interesting and useful lesson. It is helpful because we make a decisions every day and sometimes this is very important and difficult.
I’m considering buying a dog from a breeder. Before I make a choice I look at all sides of the issue.
One benefit is a reputable breeder will only give me a puppy that is free of genetic diseases.
Drawback is that a purebred puppy from a good breeder will be expensive.
Best 🙂
Agnieszka
Oh, I love your sentence, “Before I make a choice, I look at all sides of the issue.” Perfectly said. Nice work with the key vocabulary in this lesson.
I’m looking at both sides of working from home.
I am in favor of spending time more efficient and don’t waste time commuting. A downside is I may lack of face-to-face communication, and as a result, may be misunderstandings with colleagues
Great examples of upsides and downsides of working from home, Anna!
I’m a doctor who works in hospital: I’m seeing both sides of going to work or not, because my son is COVID-19 positive. A benefit is to help my collegaues in this difficult moment, a drawback is my potential capacity to be a viral vehicule, although I’m negative at the moment
One reason I’m in favour of Annemarie’ s lessons is her sweeties way to improve my english without boring. I’m against lessons during too long and full of gramatical exercises!
What a difficult time it is right now! I hope your son is doing okay and you’re getting some much needed time to relax between work shifts!
I’m looking at both sides of wearing masks, one upside is it’s reduces the COVID infection and the downside is people feel suffocated while wearing it.
One reason I am in favor of watching news is it keeps me updated.
Hi Sima. Thank you for your comment and for sharing your examples. Great work!
I love your lessons and your way of speaking! Thank you!
Hi Kasia. Thank you for your comment. We’re thrilled to know the lesson was helpful to you!
One downside of not being able to improve my English is having no one to talk to around.
One reason I’m favor of wearing a mask is to reduce the Covid 19 infection
Hi Mohamed. Thank you for your comment. I totally agree with you – wearing a mask is necessary for these circumstances.
Hi AnneMarie! Thank you for this interesting lesson that is helpfull not only to speak in english, but in every moment is needed to make a decision.
Before I make a choise or a decision, I look at all side of the issue.
One reason to delay my workshop with people in presence, is more time to prepare the lessons in the best way.
The disadvantage in this period by pandemia for CVD 19, is the unpossibility to meet my friends all toghether as I need.
Regards
Cinzia
Hi Cinzia, thank you for your comment and sharing your thoughts and examples with us. I can’t agree more with your last sentence. The most challenging part of this pandemic is isolation from people you love and need the most.