a considerable obstacle.

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable obstacle." is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant challenge or barrier that hinders progress or achievement in a particular context. Example: "The lack of funding proved to be a considerable obstacle in the development of the new 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

Use "a considerable obstacle" when you want to emphasize the significant difficulty or challenge posed by something. It suggests that the obstacle is not easily overcome and requires substantial effort or resources to address.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable obstacle" when the challenge is minor or easily resolved. Using it in such cases can exaggerate the situation and diminish the impact of the phrase when describing truly significant obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable obstacle" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something that impedes progress or achievement, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a considerable obstacle" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant challenge or impediment. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's frequently used in both scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, consider whether the obstacle is truly significant to avoid overstatement. Alternatives such as "a major impediment" or "a significant hurdle" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it a reliable choice for conveying the presence of a substantial barrier.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major impediment

Emphasizes prevention or obstruction, similar to obstacle but potentially stronger.

a significant hurdle

Highlights the act of overcoming something, suggesting effort and progress.

a substantial barrier

Focuses on physical or metaphorical blockage, stressing the difficulty of passage.

a tough challenge

Highlights the need of overcoming something, suggesting difficulty and effort.

a formidable difficulty

Highlights something hard to deal with, suggesting a sense of complexity and potential failure.

a serious drawback

Focuses on a disadvantage or negative aspect, implying a limitation or fault.

a key stumbling block

Emphasizes the potential to cause failure or halt progress, often unexpectedly.

a major setback

Focuses on the negative consequences of an event, emphasizing delayed or reversed progress.

a considerable encumbrance

Highlights the burden or weight something carries, suggesting difficulty of movement or action.

a major roadblock

Emphasizes an immediate halt or standstill, often due to unexpected or unforeseen circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "a considerable obstacle" to describe a significant challenge or barrier. For example: "The lack of funding proved to be "a considerable obstacle" in the development of the new project."

What are some alternatives to "a considerable obstacle"?

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

Is it redundant to say "a very considerable obstacle"?

While grammatically correct, adding "very" to "a considerable obstacle" can sound redundant. "Considerable" already implies a significant degree, so using "very" may not add much emphasis. It's generally better to use a stronger alternative phrase if you want to emphasize the obstacle further.

What's the difference between "a considerable obstacle" and "a minor inconvenience"?

"A considerable obstacle" denotes a significant challenge or impediment that hinders progress or achievement. In contrast, "a minor inconvenience" refers to a small, trivial annoyance that doesn't pose a serious problem. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of difficulty and impact.