a large obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a significant challenge or barrier that needs to be overcome in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or academic situations. Example: "The lack of funding presented a large obstacle to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"It is true, immigration rules are a large obstacle".

The Guardian

For the Metropolitan District Commission, money has been a large obstacle in fixing the overflows.

The New York Times

But the expensive computational costs associated with calculations of rare failure probabilities are still a large obstacle in practice.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

The high cost of the catalyst material is a large obstacle for the commercialization of Direct Methanol Fuel Cells.

Electrochimica Acta

For the Free Syria Army, however, a large obstacle stands in front of their ultimate goal – the fall of the Assad regime.

The Guardian

They wouldn't have been able to scatter quickly enough, and Kevin clearly lacked the skill to maneuver his way around a large obstacle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

A larger obstacle, however, to the implementation of extracurricular and technology programs is the usual lack of funds.

The New York Times

And there's a larger obstacle looming, which threatens her whole way of life: the Dominican government's new efforts to "regularize" migration between the two countries.

The New Yorker

A larger obstacle is the crucible of competition: the pressure can be intense, and the mind and body have to be reconditioned.

The New York Times

A larger obstacle to Japanese assistance has been the interpretation long applied to the Constitution written by the United States after the end of World War II.

The New York Times

The fact that they typically aren't popular overseas — where culturally specific humor can be difficult to translate — has become a larger obstacle in an increasingly global film business.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a large obstacle" to clearly communicate a significant challenge, ensuring your audience understands the gravity of the situation. For instance, "Securing funding was "a large obstacle" to launching the new project."

Common error

Avoid using "a large obstacle" when describing minor inconveniences. Reserve it for genuinely significant challenges, such as "The lack of infrastructure is "a large obstacle" to economic development", not for trivial problems.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large obstacle" functions as a noun phrase acting as a complement within a sentence. It typically identifies a significant impediment or challenge that hinders progress or achievement, as supported by examples found using Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

53%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a large obstacle" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a significant challenge or impediment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, suggesting that it effectively communicates the presence of a substantial barrier. While the phrase is adaptable to various contexts, it is particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and formal business settings. Alternatives such as "a significant hurdle" or "a major impediment" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using "a large obstacle", it's essential to ensure that the described challenge genuinely warrants the term, avoiding its application to minor inconveniences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant hurdle

Replaces 'large' with 'significant', emphasizing importance more than size.

a major impediment

Substitutes 'obstacle' with 'impediment', suggesting something that delays or prevents progress.

a considerable challenge

Replaces 'obstacle' with 'challenge', framing it as something to be overcome.

a formidable barrier

Uses 'formidable' to highlight the difficulty in overcoming the obstacle.

a substantial roadblock

Employs 'roadblock' to depict a direct hindrance to progress.

a tough challenge

Replaces 'large' with 'tough', indicating difficulty and resilience needed to overcome the challenge.

a key difficulty

Focuses on the 'difficulty' aspect, pinpointing it as central to the issue.

a primary concern

Shifts the focus to 'concern', emphasizing worry and importance regarding the obstacle.

a critical impediment

Replaces 'large' with 'critical' emphasizing its crucial importance in hindering progress.

a notable hindrance

Substitutes 'obstacle' with 'hindrance', suggesting something that obstructs or impedes.

FAQs

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

You can use "a large obstacle" to describe a significant challenge or impediment. For example, "The language barrier was "a large obstacle" to effective communication".

What are some alternatives to "a large obstacle"?

Alternatives include "a significant hurdle", "a major impediment", or "a considerable challenge", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

While both are acceptable, "a large obstacle" is often perceived as more formal and impactful than "a big obstacle".

What's the difference between "a large obstacle" and "a small obstacle"?

"A large obstacle" implies a significant challenge requiring substantial effort to overcome, whereas "a small obstacle" suggests a minor issue easily resolved.