a considerable obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

'a considerable obstacle' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about an obstacle that is noteworthy or meaningful in some way. For example: "The lack of funding was a considerable obstacle to the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

This level is considerably higher than is found in oral contraceptives, and this is a considerable obstacle that must be overcome when considering treatment of very young women.

Breast Cancer Research

Family disagreements, she said, are a considerable obstacle.

The New York Times

This is a considerable obstacle for stem-cell treatments that aim to replace retinal neurons.

Nature

After beating Canada Sampson even made a passing reference to Sir Alf Ramsey and 1966 but Japan will present a considerable obstacle.

The Guardian - Sport

That is a considerable obstacle, given that it was the upper house that posed the real challenge in terms of governability.

The Guardian

The only snag from the point of view of Liverpool, United, Spurs and Chelsea is that City will form a considerable obstacle in Europe too.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The need for parenteral administration of heparin and heparin derivatives is an additional considerable obstacle to the long term use of these agents.

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology

This remains a fiercely Democratic state, and Ms. Lingle, as she acknowledged in an interview, will have to overcome the considerable obstacle of having Mr. Obama, who was born in Honolulu, at the top of the ticket.

The New York Times

If Edmund, who beat Bradley Klahn in straight sets, is to keep the flag flying for the UK in the second week, he faces the considerable obstacle of 12-times Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.

The Guardian - Sport

That's because technology makes it exponentially easier to publicise information than it once was, when everyone from admirable whistle-blowers to far-left anti-liberal subversives like Mr Assange, faced the considerable obstacle of stealing large numbers of physical documents from organisations to back up their claims.

The Economist

The most considerable obstacle he faces is the current wrath of the Recording Industry Association of America RIAAA), which sees his site as a contributing factor in digital piracy.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a considerable obstacle", ensure the context clearly defines what the obstacle is hindering or preventing. For instance, "Lack of experience proved a considerable obstacle to his promotion."

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable obstacle" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for genuinely significant impediments that have a notable impact. Overusing it can dilute its meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable obstacle" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or object in a sentence, identifying or describing something that impedes progress or achievement. As Ludwig shows, this phrase indicates something more than just a simple obstacle.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a considerable obstacle" is a versatile expression used to describe a significant impediment to progress or success. As shown in Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and prevalent across diverse contexts, particularly in science and news media. While alternatives like "a significant challenge" or "a major impediment" exist, "a considerable obstacle" emphasizes the noteworthy size or impact of the obstruction. Remember to use this phrase when the obstacle truly warrants the adjective "considerable" and clearly identify what is being hindered. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is appropriate for use in written English, especially when denoting something truly noteworthy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant challenge

Replaces "obstacle" with "challenge" and "considerable" with "significant", maintaining a similar level of impact.

a major impediment

Substitutes "obstacle" with "impediment" and "considerable" with "major", conveying a sense of hindrance.

a substantial barrier

Replaces "obstacle" with "barrier" and "considerable" with "substantial", focusing on the obstructive nature.

a tough hurdle

Uses "hurdle" instead of "obstacle" and "tough" instead of "considerable", implying a challenge that needs to be overcome.

a formidable difficulty

Replaces "obstacle" with "difficulty" and "considerable" with "formidable", suggesting a daunting problem.

a noteworthy setback

Shifts the focus to the consequence (setback) rather than the obstruction itself.

a serious encumbrance

Uses "encumbrance" to denote something that weighs down progress, replacing "obstacle".

a weighty constraint

Emphasizes the limiting aspect of the obstacle by using "constraint" and "weighty".

a large stumbling block

Replaces "obstacle" with the idiomatic "stumbling block", indicating something that causes one to falter.

a key disadvantage

Presents the obstacle as a disadvantage, altering the framing of the situation.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable obstacle" to describe a significant barrier preventing progress or success. For example, "The high cost of materials was a considerable obstacle to completing the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "a considerable obstacle"?

Alternatives include "a significant challenge", "a major impediment", or "a substantial barrier". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "considerable obstacle" or "significant obstacle"?

Both "considerable obstacle" and "significant obstacle" are acceptable. "Considerable" emphasizes the size or importance of the obstacle, while "significant" emphasizes its impact or effect. The choice depends on the specific context.

What makes something "a considerable obstacle" rather than just an obstacle?

The adjective "considerable" indicates that the obstacle is not minor or easily overcome. It suggests the obstacle presents a substantial challenge and requires significant effort or resources to address.