a major obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major 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 a particular context. Example: "The lack of funding has become a major obstacle in the development of the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even stairs are a major obstacle.

The New York Times

A major obstacle is Mosul.

The New Yorker

The writing is a major obstacle.

The New York Times - Books

It's also a major obstacle to drug delivery.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But there was a major obstacle: Syria's support for Hezbollah.

The New Yorker

The Drava River was certainly a major obstacle.

The Guardian

Laurent Kabila was a major obstacle to peace in Congo.

The New York Times

For Fidyka, though, a major obstacle remained: the cost.

The New Yorker

A major obstacle is the instability of global culture.

Harvard Business Review

Articular cartilage repair remains a major obstacle in tissue engineering.

Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

Drug resistance is a major obstacle in modern medicine.

Chemistry & Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and purpose of your writing when choosing to use "a major obstacle". While widely applicable, more nuanced vocabulary might be suitable for specialized fields or technical documentation.

Common error

Avoid using "a major obstacle" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the impediment genuinely poses a substantial threat to progress or success; otherwise, consider using less emphatic phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in identifying significant impediments, as shown in contexts ranging from scientific research to political scenarios. It is used to describe what is difficult to overcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major obstacle" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for identifying significant impediments to progress. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including science, news, and business, and serves to emphasize the severity of a problem. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being hindered. Alternatives such as "a significant barrier" or "a key challenge" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impediment

Replaces "major obstacle" with synonyms that emphasize the hindering aspect.

a substantial barrier

Uses "substantial" and "barrier" to convey a strong sense of something blocking progress.

a key challenge

Focuses on the challenging aspect of the obstacle, suitable when difficulty is the main point.

a considerable hurdle

Emphasizes the effort required to overcome the obstacle, highlighting its difficulty.

a primary difficulty

Highlights the obstacle as being one of the main problems encountered.

a critical bottleneck

Implies that the obstacle is slowing down progress significantly, like a narrow point in a process.

a serious stumbling block

Suggests that the obstacle could cause a failure or a significant setback.

a major complication

Highlights the obstacle as something that introduces complexity and difficulty.

a tough impediment

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty of overcoming the obstacle.

a significant roadblock

Roadblock provides a visual metaphor for an obstacle that completely halts advancement.

FAQs

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

Use "a major obstacle" to describe something significantly hindering progress. For instance, "Lack of funding is "a major obstacle" to completing the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "a major obstacle"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant barrier", "a substantial hindrance", or "a key challenge depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a major obstacle" in writing?

It's suitable when describing a significant challenge that prevents progress. Make sure the context warrants the emphasis implied by ""a major obstacle"".

How does "a major obstacle" differ from "a minor inconvenience"?

"A major obstacle" implies a significant impediment severely affecting outcomes. In contrast, "a minor inconvenience" refers to a slight disruption that does not substantially hinder progress.