a huge obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a huge 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 huge obstacle in completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's a huge obstacle".

The New York Times

That became a huge obstacle".

The Guardian - Film

THERE is a huge obstacle, however.

The New York Times

"Ego is a huge obstacle to art," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Palestinian factional division is a huge obstacle to peace.

The New York Times

But there is a huge obstacle to reaching this goal.

The New York Times

Each oil-producing giant sees the other as a huge obstacle to its national interests.

Independent

That beauty has been a huge obstacle in efforts to erect a suicide barrier.

The New Yorker

Like those of most highly premature babies, Dr. Kase explained, Luke's lungs were a huge obstacle.

The New York Times - Magazine

These settlements are illegal under international law and constitute a huge obstacle to peace.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Marxists despised its stolidity, and saw its small "c" conservatism as a huge obstacle on the road to socialism.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a huge obstacle" to emphasize the significant difficulty or challenge posed by something. For greater impact, consider pairing it with action verbs to highlight the obstruction, like "presents a huge obstacle" or "poses a huge obstacle".

Common error

While "huge" emphasizes size, avoid overuse. Vary your language by using synonyms like "significant", "major", or "formidable" to maintain reader engagement and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a huge obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies something that impedes progress or achievement. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a huge obstacle" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a significant impediment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys the sense of a major challenge across various writing styles. While versatile, it's best to be mindful of overusing "huge" and consider synonyms to add variety. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Scientific contexts. Remember to use it to emphasize the significance of the difficulty and consider active verbs to increase the impact. Using these guidelines will ensure clear and impactful communication when using "a huge obstacle".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a massive obstacle

Emphasizes the scale or size of the obstacle, suggesting a considerable challenge.

a significant impediment

Highlights the hindering effect of the obstacle, focusing on its ability to impede progress.

a major stumbling block

Implies a difficulty that causes one to hesitate or make a mistake.

a formidable barrier

Suggests a strong and imposing obstacle that is difficult to overcome.

a considerable challenge

Focuses on the demanding nature of the obstacle and the effort required to address it.

a substantial hurdle

Implies an obstacle that needs to be overcome to make progress.

a tough challenge

An informal way to describe something difficult to achieve.

a difficult problem

Focuses on the problematic nature of the obstacle, framing it as an issue that needs to be solved.

a major difficulty

Highlights the troublesome aspect of the obstacle, emphasizing the trouble it causes.

a key bottleneck

Suggests a point of congestion or blockage that restricts the flow of progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "a huge obstacle" to describe a significant barrier or challenge. For example, "Lack of funding was "a huge obstacle" to completing the project".

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

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

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

While both are acceptable, "a huge obstacle" suggests a more substantial and difficult challenge compared to "big obstacle". The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Can "a huge obstacle" be a person or only a thing?

While less common, "a huge obstacle" can metaphorically refer to a person who is significantly hindering progress. For instance, "His stubbornness became "a huge obstacle" to reaching a consensus".