a couple of obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a couple of obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a small number of challenges or difficulties that one might encounter in a situation. Example: "While preparing for the presentation, I faced a couple of obstacles that delayed my progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But there are a couple of obstacles in the way.One is programming.

The Economist

Just a couple of obstacles stand in his way: For one, many Americans think manna is a fictional crop.

The Washington Post

With Mr. Cleveland's public-address encouragement and the constant banjo music of Dave and the Wranglers, it is hard to feel anything but sympathy when, say, a bronc bucks a cowboy on his bottom or one of the horses kicks over a couple of obstacles in the girls' barrel racing.

The New York Times

According to Jupiter Communications analyst Mike May in New York, it has a couple of obstacles in its course.

Forbes

"I can't fault the boys, they were the better team and they've done everything they can to win the game but just found a couple of obstacles in the way". Match ends, Leyton Orient 1, AFC Wimbledon 1. Second Half ends, Leyton Orient 1, AFC Wimbledon 1. Substitution, Leyton Orient.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But should he run, he faces a couple of major obstacles: the person who holds the council seat Mr. Barry is eyeing has no intention of going quietly, and the present mayor, Anthony A. Williams, says he will support Mr. Barry in just about anything except a return to office.

The New York Times

Tapit, among the more highly regarded Kentucky Derby hopefuls until a disappointing sixth-place finish in the Florida Derby, was good enough to overcome a couple of serious obstacles yesterday at Aqueduct, winning the $750,000 Wood by a half-length over Master David.

The New York Times - Sports

The operator, who was limited to 25 miles per hour, navigated the car through rain and packed streets at night, taking me and three Phantom Auto employees through a gas station and a couple of other obstacles that are difficult for self-driving cars.

MIT Technology Review

Nevertheless, Levine sees a couple of other obstacles to families taking advantage of a gap year.

Forbes

The private sector is ready and willing to do the job if a couple of major obstacles are removed.

Forbes

This week there are a couple of more immediate obstacles to overcome.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a couple of obstacles" when you want to convey a small, surmountable set of difficulties without exaggerating the problem.

Common error

While acceptable in most contexts, overuse of "a couple of obstacles" in highly formal documents can sound informal. Consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "several impediments" or "a number of challenges" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a couple of obstacles" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It identifies and quantifies challenges, indicating a limited number of difficulties. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a couple of obstacles" is a grammatically correct and generally neutral way to refer to a small number of challenges. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely accepted and understood in English. While primarily found in News & Media contexts, it may be less suitable for highly formal or scientific writing, where more precise vocabulary might be preferred. Alternatives like ""a few hurdles"" or ""some setbacks"" can be used to tailor the expression to specific contexts. Despite its relative simplicity, this phrase serves a valuable function in acknowledging and contextualizing difficulties in a manageable way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two difficulties

A more direct and literal way to express the same quantity of problems.

a few hurdles

Emphasizes the idea of jumping over difficulties, implying a quick resolution.

a couple of problems

Replaces "obstacles" with the more general and commonplace "problems".

a pair of challenges

Focuses on the dual nature of the difficulties encountered.

a handful of difficulties

Suggests a small, manageable quantity of problems.

a set of challenges

Presents the obstacles as a group or collection.

some stumbling blocks

Implies something that impedes progress or causes one to hesitate.

some setbacks

Highlights the idea of temporary delays or reversals.

two impediments

A more direct and literal way to express the same quantity of obstacles. The word impediment sounds slightly more formal.

several impediments

More formal term suggesting something that delays or prevents progress.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a couple of obstacles"?

You can use alternatives like "a few hurdles", "some setbacks", or "a number of challenges" depending on the context.

Is "a couple of obstacles" formal or informal?

"A couple of obstacles" is generally considered neutral in formality. It's suitable for most contexts, but more formal synonyms might be preferred in highly professional or academic writing.

How do I use "a couple of obstacles" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "Despite "a couple of obstacles", the project was completed successfully." It typically precedes a description of the challenges faced or the actions taken to overcome them.

What's the difference between "a couple of obstacles" and "many obstacles"?

"A couple of obstacles" implies a small, limited number of difficulties, while "many obstacles" suggests a significantly larger and potentially more daunting set of challenges. The choice depends on the scale of the problem you're describing.