a main impediment

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He said that in most such situations, a main impediment is the need for the approval of all lenders who hold share loans.

The New York Times

In the House, Mr. Blunt and other top Republicans said a main impediment was the unity of the Democrats, who would not provide a single vote for the plan, forcing Republicans to rely on party support for a measure that makes moderates nervous because it contains politically charged cuts in food stamps and health care for the poor.

The New York Times

The lack of provision of adequate work materials was also a main impediment to the success of the PACS-Luanda.

Human Resources for Health

Access to facilities was quoted as a main impediment to participation as community members in some areas had to walk over three hours to attend the meetings, and suggestions were made for mosque based meetings, especially to ensure that the 'voice' and opinion of women are considered.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Sample availability is, however, a limiting factor and the main impediment to progress of research in rare diseases, resulting in a remarkable lack of attempts to apply protein profiling approaches in the quest for protein markers in rare diseases.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

The main impediment is a lack of transit access.

The New York Times

The main impediment to a deal now, they say, is more psychological than substantive.

The New York Times

Valuations of its mortgage holdings were the main impediment to a merger, he speculated.

The New York Times

Obamacare is his Communism, a conspiracy that is the main impediment to economic growth.

The New Yorker

But the main impediment to a political deal remains President Bashar al-Assad's brutal intransigence.

The New York Times

The main impediment was an undereducated work force.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a main impediment", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being hindered. Be specific about the goal or process that is being obstructed.

Common error

Avoid using "a main impediment" when referring to minor inconveniences. Reserve this phrase for significant obstacles that genuinely impede progress or achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main impediment" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a principal obstacle or barrier. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English, and is used to indicate something that significantly hinders advancement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a main impediment" is a noun phrase used to identify a significant obstacle hindering progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While the phrase is appropriate for formal, professional, and news-related content, it is infrequent overall. Related phrases include "a primary obstacle" and "a key hindrance". When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the hindered goal and avoid overstating its importance to maintain precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary obstacle

Replaces "impediment" with "obstacle", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

a key hindrance

Substitutes "impediment" with "hindrance", indicating something that delays or prevents progress.

a major stumbling block

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the idea of a significant obstacle.

a significant barrier

Replaces "impediment" with "barrier", emphasizing the obstructive nature of the issue.

a central obstacle

Highlights the importance of the obstacle by using "central" instead of "main".

a critical bottleneck

Emphasizes the restrictive nature of the impediment, suggesting it limits flow or progress.

a foremost constraint

Focuses on the limiting aspect of the impediment, highlighting its restrictive effect.

a chief deterrent

Suggests that the impediment discourages or prevents action.

a principal obstacle

Uses "principal" to emphasize that the obstacle is of primary importance.

a considerable encumbrance

Indicates that the impediment is a burden or something that weighs down progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "a main impediment" to describe a significant obstacle that prevents progress, such as: "The lack of funding is "a main impediment" to the project's success."

What are some alternatives to saying "a main impediment"?

Alternatives include "a primary obstacle", "a key hindrance", or "a major stumbling block", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the main impediment" instead of "a main impediment"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the main impediment" implies that there is one specific obstacle, while "a main impediment" suggests that it is one of several significant obstacles. Choose the phrasing that accurately reflects the context.

What's the difference between "a main impediment" and "a minor inconvenience"?

"A main impediment" refers to a substantial obstacle that significantly hinders progress, while "a minor inconvenience" is a small, easily manageable issue that does not seriously impede progress. Use ""a main impediment"" only for significant barriers.