As we have seen, one of the biggest disadvantages of email is the capability for misunderstanding. Email has some other disadvantages as well. It can be used to talk to more than one person at a time, but the means for doing so can be a bit cumbersome. At its core, email is a one - to - one communication medium. Email requires active participation. You have to check your email to get messages. If you do not check your email, you will never know that somebody has contacted you.