a minor obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

"a minor obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a small issue or difficulty that can easily be overcome. Example sentence: We encountered a minor obstacle during our project, but we were able to find a solution quickly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

That she's taken out a restraining order against him is a minor obstacle.

The New York Times

For the film-makers, it's a minor obstacle on the route to romance; for the audience, it's a deal-breaker.

The Guardian - Film

But to children, that rule is a minor obstacle that stands between them and what everybody else is doing.

The New York Times - Tech

Even if successful, Ms. Habstritt's work would have created only a minor obstacle to Columbia's plan; at most it would have had to build around the stable.

The New York Times

Some 60% of Thai firms consulted for the World Bank study said that corruption was a big obstacle to their business; another 25% considered it a minor obstacle.

The Economist

Evolution Securities said: "While today's decision removes a minor obstacle to the Chinalco-Rio Tinto tie-up it is by no means the main event with the Foreign Investment Review Board and shareholder vote much more important.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In sequencing and assembling of Tetrahymena Mt genomes we faced a few minor obstacles of strong secondary structures and nuclear contamination, however the overall final sequences are quite accurate and reliable.

Plosone

Likewise, a trifling matter like corporate sexism is just another minor obstacle.

Independent

After all, how will a community of seasoned professionals with a deep understanding of your console's systems get past this minor obstacle?

TechCrunch

Rather than focusing on just a small part of a larger problem, we look to systemic solutions, ways to fix not only one minor obstacle, but to alter the trajectory of the global infrastructure.

Huffington Post

However, I believed the South Americans would overcome this minor obstacle.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a minor obstacle" to downplay a problem or challenge, suggesting it won't significantly impede progress. This can be effective in persuasive writing or when reassuring stakeholders.

Common error

Avoid using "a minor obstacle" when the issue at hand is actually significant. Overstating the insignificance can damage credibility and misrepresent the true challenges involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes something that presents a slight challenge but doesn't significantly impede progress. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct and usable grammatical status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a minor obstacle" is a commonly used phrase that describes a small and easily surmountable difficulty. Grammatically sound and versatile, it fits well in neutral contexts like news and media, science, and wiki articles. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. When faced with challenges, remembering that they might only be "a minor obstacle" can provide encouragement and maintain a positive outlook. Consider alternative phrases like "a slight impediment" or "a trivial difficulty" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight impediment

This alternative uses 'impediment' instead of 'obstacle' and 'slight' instead of 'minor', softening the impact of the difficulty.

a trivial difficulty

Replaces 'minor obstacle' with 'trivial difficulty', emphasizing the insignificance of the problem.

a small setback

Substitutes 'minor obstacle' with 'small setback', focusing on the temporary delay caused by the issue.

a manageable challenge

Replaces 'minor obstacle' with 'manageable challenge', highlighting the ease with which the issue can be handled.

a negligible hurdle

Uses 'negligible hurdle' instead of 'minor obstacle', indicating that the problem is so small it's almost not worth mentioning.

a light snag

Substitutes 'minor obstacle' with 'light snag', presenting a more casual and less formal way to describe a small issue.

a passing hiccup

Replaces 'minor obstacle' with 'passing hiccup', emphasizing the temporary and brief nature of the difficulty.

an easily overcome issue

This alternative is more descriptive, detailing that the issue can be overcome easily.

a temporary inconvenience

Focuses on the inconvenience being temporary, suggesting a short-lived disruption.

a fleeting concern

This emphasizes that the concern is brief and not lasting.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor obstacle" to describe a small problem or difficulty that is easily overcome. For example: "The project faced "a minor obstacle", but the team quickly found a solution."

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

Alternatives include "a slight impediment", "a trivial difficulty", or "a small setback". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a minor obstacle" in formal writing?

Yes, "a minor obstacle" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and concise way to describe a relatively small problem without being overly dramatic.

What's the difference between "a minor obstacle" and "a major obstacle"?

"A minor obstacle" suggests a problem that is easily resolved and doesn't significantly impede progress. "A major obstacle", on the other hand, indicates a serious problem that requires significant effort or resources to overcome.