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Thread: Something has both advantages and disadvantages

  1. #1
    symaa is offline Member
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    Default Something has both advantages and disadvantages

    Hello,

    When we talk about something has both advantages and disadvantages "Une arme a double tranchantes " we say for instance:

    Technology is a double-edged sword.
    or:
    Technology is a two-edged weapon.

    Could you please tell me which sentence is correct?

    Have a nice day,

  2. #2
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    Nightmare85 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: Something has both advantages and disadvantages

    ***Neither a teacher nor a native speaker.***

    According to dict.cc you can either say double-edged sword or two-edged sword.
    You can also say it cuts both ways.

    Cheers!
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    Michael84 is offline Junior Member
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    symaa is offline Member
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    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: Something has both advantages and disadvantages

    Quote Originally Posted by Nightmare85 View Post
    ***Neither a teacher nor a native speaker.***

    According to dict.cc you can either say double-edged sword or two-edged sword.
    You can also say it cuts both ways.

    Cheers!
    Thank you very much Nightmare85 and Michael84.

    But which expression is the most common in spoken?

    All the best for you,
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    Gillnetter is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Something has both advantages and disadvantages

    Quote Originally Posted by symaa View Post
    Hello,

    When we talk about something has both advantages and disadvantages "Une arme a double tranchantes " we say for instance:

    Technology is a double-edged sword.
    or:
    Technology is a two-edged weapon.
    The first one is what I am used to hearing. The second one seems to make sense but I have not heard it before.
    Could you please tell me which sentence is correct?

    Have a nice day,
    Gil
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  6. #6
    symaa is offline Member
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    Default Re: Something has both advantages and disadvantages

    Quote Originally Posted by Gillnetter View Post
    Gil
    Ok, thank you very much teacher, do you use this expression in your informal spoken?
    Regards

  7. #7
    Gillnetter is offline Key Member
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    Default Re: Something has both advantages and disadvantages

    Quote Originally Posted by symaa View Post
    Ok, thank you very much teacher, do you use this expression in your informal spoken?
    Regards
    I don't, though some people may use this term. I believe that it is an older term and not used very much.
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    symaa is offline Member
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    Threadstarter / Original Poster

    Default Re: Something has both advantages and disadvantages

    Quote Originally Posted by Gillnetter View Post
    I don't, though some people may use this term. I believe that it is an older term and not used very much.
    Thanks a lot for the new information.
    Best wishes

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    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
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    Default Re: Something has both advantages and disadvantages

    I use two-edged sword.
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  10. #10
    symaa is offline Member
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    Default Re: Something has both advantages and disadvantages

    Quote Originally Posted by Tdol View Post
    I use two-edged sword.
    Thank you teacher.
    Have a nice day.

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