a major roadblock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major roadblock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or challenge that hinders progress in a situation or project. Example: "The lack of funding has become a major roadblock in the development of the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This means that, just months before sitting her GCSEs, she has run into a major roadblock.

The Guardian

Tribunal fees continue to be a major roadblock to creating more equal workplaces.

The Guardian

Mr. Brinker's triumphant run with Chili's hit a major roadblock when he had a near-fatal polo accident in 1993.

The New York Times

Local television reported on Thursday that two people were killed in clashes at a major roadblock in Toamasina.

The New York Times

Fractional sellers who have taken their properties off the market often cite mortgages as a major roadblock to completing sales.

The New York Times

While not condemning all straight men, we saw sexist, homophobic straight males as a major roadblock to women's and gay liberation.

The Guardian - Opinion

A major roadblock to grafting these new organs into patients would be immune rejection, the body's attack on tissues recognized as foreign.

The New York Times

A major roadblock to the deal are the competing cable services, HBO, which televises Lewis's fights, and Showtime, which televises Tyson's bouts.

The New York Times - Sports

Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory are generally viewed as illegal by the international community and have long been seen as a major roadblock to a viable Palestinian state.

The Guardian - Tech

Mesh distortion induced numerical instability is a major roadblock in automotive crashworthiness finite element simulations.

International Journal of Impact Engineering

"Not allowing women to drive is a major roadblock to getting women into work". .

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a major roadblock" to clearly identify a significant obstacle hindering progress. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, providing clarity and emphasis to the challenge at hand.

Common error

While "a major roadblock" is effective, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "significant impediment" or "substantial obstacle" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major roadblock" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object to describe a significant impediment or obstacle. Ludwig examples show it used to identify issues hindering progress in various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a major roadblock" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant obstacle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and business, denoting a serious impediment. When writing, be mindful of overusing the phrase and consider synonyms to maintain reader engagement. Using "a major roadblock" effectively communicates the severity of a challenge and its impact on progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major stumbling block

Implies something that causes one to hesitate or fail.

primary obstacle

Directly states that something is the main impediment.

significant impediment

Emphasizes the hindering aspect but uses more formal vocabulary.

substantial obstacle

Highlights the obstructive nature with a focus on size or impact.

chief impediment

A more formal way to say the main obstacle.

formidable barrier

Implies a challenge that is difficult to overcome.

serious hurdle

Suggests an obstacle that requires effort to overcome.

key challenge

Focuses on the difficulty as a central problem to be solved.

critical bottleneck

Highlights the point where progress is severely slowed or stopped.

significant setback

Focuses on the negative impact on progress rather than the obstacle itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major roadblock" to describe a significant obstacle hindering progress. For example, "The lack of funding is "a major roadblock" to completing the project".

What are some alternatives to "a major roadblock"?

Alternatives include "significant obstacle", "substantial barrier", or "formidable challenge", depending on the specific context.

Is "major roadblock" formal or informal?

"Major roadblock" is generally considered suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase. However, in highly formal writing, alternatives like "significant impediment" may be preferred.

What makes "a major roadblock" different from "a minor inconvenience"?

"A major roadblock" signifies a serious impediment that significantly hinders progress, while "a minor inconvenience" refers to a small, easily managed problem. The key difference lies in the severity and impact of the obstacle.