a key impediment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key impediment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or barrier that hinders progress or success in a particular context. Example: "The lack of funding has become a key impediment to the project's development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Nabil Wahbeh Berkeley, Calif., June 2 , 2009• To the Editor: The Israeli settlements are a key impediment to progress in the Middle East.

The New York Times

The Australian Financial Review is reporting Toyota told the government in December workplace conditions was a key impediment to the company staying in Australia.

The Guardian

For instance, agricultural tariffs and quotas, a key impediment to Central American exports, are phased out over a longer period than tariffs on industrial goods and services, most of which are from the United States.

The New York Times

A key impediment to eliminating neglected tropical diseases in the United States is that they frequently go unrecognized because the disenfranchised people they afflict do not or cannot seek out health care.

The New York Times

However, thermal challenges are a key impediment to stacking logic dies on top of each other.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Security is increasingly recognized as a key impediment to sharing data in enterprise systems, virtual enterprises, and the semantic Web.

Proceedings 2004 VLDB Conference

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Perhaps most importantly, a move away from curving practices in grading may remove a key remaining impediment to building a learning community in which students are expected to rely on and support one another in the learning process.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Analysts say that another key impediment is that the health authorities in G.C.C. countries act as the main providers of care, making it difficult for private-sector players interested in competing.

The New York Times

Baca's beloved department has become a national embarrassment, and his failure to acknowledge the problem at its core had become the key impediment to its reform.

Huffington Post

It was distressing to read that the key impediment to solving the labor strife at the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra was the national agreement on digital media.

Huffington Post

This highlights the fact that while sample quality can reduce genotyping success, lack of diversity amongst devils was the key impediment in discriminating amongst individuals.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key impediment", ensure the context clearly defines what is being hindered. Providing specific details about the impact of the impediment strengthens your writing.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "a key impediment" in very casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler phrases like "major issue" or "big problem" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key impediment" functions as a noun phrase identifying a significant obstacle or barrier. As per Ludwig AI, it accurately describes something hindering progress in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key impediment" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for identifying a significant obstacle. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for formal contexts such as news reports, scientific papers, and business communications. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "major problem", its use can add precision to writing when emphasizing the critical nature of the hindrance. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the impact of the impediment. Common alternatives include "a major stumbling block" and "a primary obstacle".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major stumbling block

Emphasizes the obstructive nature more strongly.

a significant hurdle

Highlights the challenge aspect of the impediment.

a primary obstacle

Focuses on the impediment being one of the main hindrances.

a critical restraint

Highlights the restrictive quality of the impediment.

a substantial barrier

Emphasizes the size and difficulty it imposes.

a chief deterrent

Suggests that the impediment actively discourages progress.

a notable restriction

Highlights the limiting effect of the impediment.

a central difficulty

Focuses on the problematic nature of the impediment.

a core challenge

Highlights the demanding and testing nature of the impediment.

a vital obstruction

Emphasizes that the impediment is critical and hinders passage.

FAQs

How can I use "a key impediment" in a sentence?

Use "a key impediment" to identify a significant barrier hindering progress. For instance, "Lack of funding is "a key impediment" to the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "a key impediment"?

Alternatives include "a major obstacle", "a significant barrier", or "a primary hindrance". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a key impediment" in formal writing?

Yes, "a key impediment" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic, business, or technical contexts. It clearly conveys the significance of the obstacle.

What makes "a key impediment" different from "a minor inconvenience"?

"A key impediment" signifies a substantial obstacle that significantly impacts progress, whereas "a minor inconvenience" refers to a small, easily managed disruption. The former has a more serious impact.