a major obstacle to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major obstacle to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant barrier or challenge that hinders progress or achievement in a particular context. Example: "The lack of funding is a major obstacle to the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Laurent Kabila was a major obstacle to peace in Congo.

The New York Times

Potential opposition from large states is a major obstacle to the Brock plan.

The New York Times

The deal removed a major obstacle to Senate action on the measure.

The New York Times

The British Steel pension scheme remains a major obstacle to the future of Tata Steel UK.

The Guardian - Business

A major obstacle to effective study seems to be defining and measuring stress.

The New York Times

But there is a major obstacle to overcome first: the controversy such proposals arouse.

The Guardian

And he was once again regarded as a major obstacle to May's ambition.

The Guardian

Still, even before directors and actors were chosen, Mr. Colgan had a major obstacle to overcome.

The New York Times

Both he and Pachter identified this as a major obstacle to the company's long-term success.

The New Yorker

There is, though, a major obstacle to broader acceptance of halal food.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Fiore acknowledged that she faced a major obstacle to a speedy in-person negotiation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major obstacle to", ensure that the noun following 'to' clearly indicates what is being hindered. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating minor inconveniences as "a major obstacle to". Reserve this phrase for truly significant impediments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major obstacle to" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subjective complement or an appositive. It identifies a significant barrier hindering progress, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major obstacle to" is a versatile and widely used expression for identifying significant impediments, as confirmed by Ludwig. Grammatically sound and frequently found in both news and scientific contexts, it effectively conveys the presence of a substantial barrier. When using this phrase, ensure that the subsequent noun clarifies what is being hindered. While appropriate for formal and informal settings, avoid exaggerating minor issues. Alternatives such as "a significant impediment to" or "a key challenge for" can be used to vary your writing. According to Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for formal, scientific and neutral communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impediment to

Emphasizes the importance of the obstacle, similar to "major" but using a different descriptor.

a substantial barrier to

Focuses on the restrictive nature of the obstacle as a "barrier".

a key challenge for

Highlights the difficulty presented by the obstacle, framing it as a "challenge".

a primary hurdle in

Uses "hurdle" to suggest an obstacle that must be overcome, emphasizing progress.

a considerable constraint on

Emphasizes limitation and restriction caused by the obstacle.

a notable stumbling block for

Suggests an obstacle that causes one to falter or make mistakes.

a critical bottleneck in

Implies that the obstacle is a point of congestion slowing down progress.

a serious impediment for

Indicates the obstacle is a "serious" problem and could causes a delay.

a principal deterrent to

Highlights the obstacle's discouraging effect, preventing action.

a big drawback for

Focuses on the negative aspect or disadvantage of the obstacle.

FAQs

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

Use "a major obstacle to" to describe something that significantly hinders progress or makes achieving a goal difficult. For instance, "Lack of funding is "a major obstacle to" completing the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "a major obstacle to"?

You can use alternatives such as "a significant barrier to", "a substantial hindrance to", or "a key challenge for" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a major obstacle to" and "a minor obstacle to"?

"A major obstacle to" implies a significant impediment, while "a minor obstacle to" suggests a smaller, less impactful hindrance. The choice depends on the scale of the challenge you're describing.

Can "a major obstacle to" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "a major obstacle to" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. However, in very informal contexts, you might opt for simpler language like "a big problem for".