a great obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant challenge or barrier that hinders progress or achievement in various contexts. Example: "The lack of funding proved to be a great obstacle in the development of the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

(The rolling Pennines are not a great obstacle; a canal joined the cities nearly two centuries ago).

The Economist

But the mixture of religion and politics was a great obstacle for the propagation of the Greco-Oriental mysteries in the Mediterranean world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But guys in Utah, Orlando and other cities have the same regrets because of a great obstacle they could not overcome.

The New York Times - Sports

"A great obstacle has been removed by this election and the president will be empowered to push his reformist program faster in the future than he could in the last two and a half years," he said.

The New York Times

Despite America's great leverage over Israel, Mr. Obama has been unable to stand up to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the settlement issue, which is such a great obstacle to peace.

The New York Times

The death of al-Baghdadi, a man in whose image and reputation a huge amount of time  and effort has been invested, would be a huge symbolic loss for Isis, a great obstacle in its caliphate project, which has so thrived on success to date.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Other good choices include Need for Speed: Shift ($7), a racing game; Glyder ($1), a flying game; Brushes ($5), a finger painting app; the Treasures of Montezuma ($2), a mystery game; Trace (free), a great obstacle-course game; and Wurdle ($2), a word-search game.

The New York Times - Tech

It is the mental preparation, though, that may be a greater obstacle.

The New York Times - Sports

A greater obstacle, perhaps, is the competition for public infrastructure dollars.

The New York Times

A greater obstacle for Mr. Elderfield, however, are Mr. Galenson's conclusions.

The New York Times - Arts

Curry admitted that a lack of motivation became a greater obstacle than any blocker he encountered in Seattle.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great obstacle", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being hindered or prevented. For example, specify that 'lack of funding' is "a great obstacle" to completing the project.

Common error

Avoid using "a great obstacle" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the obstacle genuinely presents a major challenge to achieving a goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies something that presents a significant impediment or challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great obstacle" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant challenge or impediment. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across a variety of contexts. It appears most frequently in science and news media, indicating its relevance in both specialized and general discourse. Related phrases include "a significant impediment" and "a major stumbling block". When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being hindered. Avoid overusing it for minor inconveniences to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impediment

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment", suggesting a hindrance or obstruction.

a major stumbling block

Substitutes "obstacle" with "stumbling block", implying a difficulty that causes one to hesitate or fail.

a substantial barrier

Replaces "obstacle" with "barrier", emphasizing a physical or metaphorical obstruction.

a considerable hurdle

Uses "hurdle" instead of "obstacle", suggesting a challenge that needs to be overcome.

a formidable challenge

Focuses on the difficulty aspect, using "formidable challenge" to convey a demanding task.

a severe setback

Shifts the focus to the negative consequence, implying a reversal or delay in progress.

a tough proposition

Expresses the obstacle as a situation or task that is difficult to deal with.

a grave encumbrance

Emphasizes the burdensome nature of the obstacle, using "encumbrance" to suggest a heavy load.

a critical bottleneck

Highlights the restrictive nature of the obstacle, suggesting a point of congestion or blockage.

a momentous adversity

Elevates the obstacle to a significant hardship or misfortune.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great obstacle" to describe something that significantly hinders progress. For example, "The language barrier proved to be a great obstacle in their attempts to communicate effectively."

What can I say instead of "a great obstacle"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant impediment", "a major stumbling block", or "a substantial barrier" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a great obstacle" or "a big obstacle"?

Both "a great obstacle" and "a big obstacle" are grammatically correct and understandable. However, "a great obstacle" often implies a more profound or significant challenge than "a big obstacle".

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

"A great obstacle" refers to something that severely hinders progress or achievement, while "a minor inconvenience" is a small, insignificant issue that causes slight annoyance or delay.