a big obstruction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big obstruction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant barrier or hindrance in various contexts, such as physical obstacles or metaphorical challenges. Example: "The fallen tree created a big obstruction on the road, preventing any vehicles from passing through."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The trunk was a big obstruction.

The New Yorker

The Pentium 4 the last "single-core" desktop processor clocked up 3.2 billion cycles a second.Disposing of this heat is a big obstruction to further miniaturisation and higher speeds.

The Economist

These would use light for their internal communications, and thus continue the inexorable progress of Moore's Law that the speed of silicon chips doubles every 18 months.Unfortunately that one word, silicon, has been a big obstruction to the development of commercial optoelectronics.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Rod Paige, a former federal secretary of education, said in an interview that he viewed teachers' unions as the "biggest obstruction to school reform anywhere".

The New York Times

Probably the biggest obstruction is the fragmented governmental structure with its overlapping jurisdictions.

The New York Times

(Of course, that remains a big if, and Mr. McConnell will undoubtedly encourage obstruction).

The New York Times

Israel struggles with so many bigger obstructions to religious pluralism, like the ultra-Orthodox legal chokehold over marriage, divorce and conversion.

Huffington Post

You can also land the airplanes in a big highway, however there should not be any obstructions.

WikiHow

Unfortunately, there is a big overlap in symptoms between bladder infections and urinary obstructions.

WikiHow

A big part of the problem is that the central bodies have provided virtually no support in clearing obstructions out of their way nationally to enable the local changes to take place.

The Guardian

The Times published a big investigative piece about the affair, and Preet Bharara, the crusading United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, opened a federal investigation into possible obstruction of justice.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big obstruction", ensure the context clearly defines what is being obstructed. Specify the consequence of the obstruction to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a big obstruction" without providing specific details about the nature and impact of the obstruction. Instead of saying "Lack of funding was a big obstruction", specify what was obstructed: "Lack of funding was a big obstruction to the project's timely completion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big obstruction" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes something significant that hinders progress or blocks a path. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a big obstruction" is grammatically correct and serves to highlight a significant barrier or impediment, as Ludwig AI confirms. While relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase finds its use across various contexts, primarily in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. To enhance clarity, specify the nature and impact of the obstruction when using this phrase. Consider using alternatives like "a significant impediment" or "a major hindrance" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a large obstacle

Synonymous, replacing 'big' with 'large'.

a significant impediment

Emphasizes the substantial nature of the obstacle.

a major hindrance

Highlights the delaying or preventing effect of the obstruction.

a serious impediment

Underscores the severity and impact of the obstruction.

a considerable barrier

Focuses on the blocking or separating aspect of the obstruction.

a formidable barrier

Emphasizes the strength and difficulty in overcoming the obstacle.

a substantial blockage

Emphasizes the act of blocking and the extent of it.

a key stumbling block

Highlights the obstacle as a cause for failure or delay.

a primary bottleneck

Focuses on the constriction and slowing down effect.

a tough hurdle

Implies a challenge that needs to be overcome.

FAQs

How can I use "a big obstruction" in a sentence?

You can use "a big obstruction" to describe something that significantly hinders progress or blocks a path. For example, "The fallen tree was a big obstruction on the road" or "Bureaucracy became a big obstruction to the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "a big obstruction"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant impediment", "a major hindrance", or "a considerable barrier" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a big obstruction" or "a huge obstruction"?

Both "a big obstruction" and "a huge obstruction" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired emphasis. "Huge" often suggests a larger scale or impact.

What's the difference between "a big obstruction" and "a big obstacle"?

While similar, "obstruction" often implies something is actively blocking or impeding progress, whereas "a big obstacle" might simply represent a challenge to overcome. An obstruction is more about prevention, while an obstacle is more about challenge.