a barrier for entry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a barrier for entry" is not correct; the correct expression is "a barrier to entry." You can use it when discussing obstacles that prevent individuals or companies from entering a market or industry.
Example: "High startup costs can be a significant barrier to entry for new businesses in the tech sector."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The practice of asking recent graduates to spend their days working for free while paying rent and living in a city like New York is a barrier for entry to students from mid- to lower-class backgrounds.

The Guardian - Opinion

From my experience, RealTidbits' product works smoothly, and the price shouldn't be too much of a barrier for entry — at least for larger businesses.

TechCrunch

For each of the Netroots parties, there was a barrier for entry.

Huffington Post

The high cost of ultrasound equipment and extensive training required to achieve a suitable level of competence is a barrier for entry for new contractors.

BMC Veterinary Research

An intact epithelial layer covering the junction between the carrier donor corneal tissue and the edge of the keratoprosthesis front plate in its entire circumference, as seen in our patients, would presumably decrease the infection risk by constituting a barrier for entry of microorganisms [ 21].

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Peterson's elevator pitch is that the NASL has a low barrier for entry, and a lack of regulation comparative to MLS, which makes it a less complicated investment for any party looking to put money into North American soccer.

The Guardian - Sport

"There's a real barrier for entry.

The New York Times

As with most popular memes, it has a low barrier for entry, so naturally people loved it.

The Guardian

The fear of trying new foods is a major barrier for entry for innovative ingredients, foods, flavors, or cuisines into the market place.

International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science

"I think we place at least a small barrier for entry where someone has to at least know what they're doing before they can just inject it," says Zayner.

MIT Technology Review

Meanwhile, the Dot sets a low barrier for entry on the price front.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing specific barriers, be explicit about what is creating the barrier and for whom. For example, "High regulatory costs are a barrier to entry for small businesses."

Common error

A common mistake is using the preposition "for" instead of "to" with "barrier" when discussing entry. Always use "a barrier to entry".

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a noun phrase that identifies something preventing entry or access. Although "a barrier for entry" is not correct, it still maintains this basic functionality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a barrier for entry" appears in some sources, Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically incorrect; the correct expression is "a barrier to entry". The phrase refers to obstacles preventing entry into a market or activity. Despite its incorrectness, it is found in both news/media and scientific contexts. Remember to use "to" instead of "for" for grammatical correctness. While some may use "a barrier for entry", it is always advisable to use the grammatically correct "a barrier to entry".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hurdle to access

Changes "barrier" to "hurdle", which implies a challenge to overcome. "Access" replaces "entry" emphasizing the possibility to get in or not.

an obstacle to participation

Replaces "barrier" with "obstacle", a synonym. Changes "entry" to "participation", broadening the scope beyond just entering a physical space.

a impediment to joining

Uses "impediment", a more formal synonym for "barrier". "Joining" is used instead of "entry", focusing on becoming part of a group or organization.

a restriction on access

Replaces "barrier" with "restriction", indicating a limit or constraint. It also change 'entry' with access.

a deterrent to involvement

"Deterrent" suggests something that discourages or prevents involvement. "Involvement" replaces "entry", highlighting active participation.

a disincentive for newcomers

"Disincentive" focuses on factors that discourage new participants. The term "newcomers" replaces "entry" for people who are entering in something.

a check on onboarding

"Check" implies a control or restraint on the onboarding process. It's specific on the process to add or integrate someone into a team.

a limit on admission

"Limit" directly states a restriction on the act of being admitted. Admission is used instead of entry.

a constraint on affiliation

"Constraint" suggests a limitation on becoming connected or associated with something. Affiliation is used to mean 'entry'.

a difficulty in gaining access

This alternative focuses on the inherent difficulty in getting access, rather than a specific barrier. Access is the target, rather than entry.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "a barrier for entry"?

No, the correct grammatical form is "a barrier to entry". Although "a barrier for entry" is sometimes used, it is considered incorrect.

What does "a barrier to entry" mean?

The phrase "a barrier to entry" refers to something that prevents new competitors from easily entering an industry or market.

What are some examples of barriers to entry?

Common examples include high startup costs, strong brand loyalty, government regulations, and patents. These factors make it difficult for new businesses to compete.

What can I say instead of "a barrier to entry"?

You can use alternatives like "a hurdle to access", "an obstacle to participation", or "an impediment to joining" depending on the context.