a minor obstruction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a minor obstruction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insignificant blockage or hindrance in various contexts, such as physical obstacles or metaphorical challenges. Example: "The construction work on the road created a minor obstruction, but traffic was still able to flow smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In general the spots were uniformly printed; however some changes in the spot size occurred, likely caused by a minor obstruction in the tip of the SpotBot during printing.

Biomedical Optics Express

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For the time being, 1,400 should be considered another minor obstruction amid a strong uptrend in the market.

Forbes

The charges, announced in September, range from felony oral copulation with a minor to obstruction of justice.

Los Angeles Times

He said it would usually exclude "low levels of civil disobedience such as civil trespass or minor obstruction".

The Guardian

An edge case, to be suRangeut it wised be cool.

TechCrunch

It is possible that minimal structural abnormalities, such as minor obstructions, which may be associated with prenatal DES exposure, could explain this association.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

The charges, announced Friday, involve a range of felonies and misdemeanors, including engaging in prostitution, oral copulation with a minor, engaging in lewd acts and obstruction of justice.

The Guardian

By contrast, Sarli, Marchesi, and others [ 8, 9, 19, 20, 24] included patients with outlet obstruction constipation as a minor symptom.

BMC Gastroenterology

It is possible that there is a minor degree of intestinal fibrosis without radiological signs of obstruction or inflammation of the bowel that cannot be detected with standard clinical methods.

BMC Gastroenterology

However, we believe this is a minor problem, and furthermore, high flow oxygen can probably be administered in short catheters via the nostrils if no severe nasal obstruction exists.

Critical Care

"I'm a minor".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a minor obstruction", consider the context to determine if a more specific term would be more effective. For example, instead of "a minor obstruction in the pipe", you could say "a small clog in the pipe".

Common error

Avoid using "a minor obstruction" when the obstacle is actually significant. Overusing the phrase can downplay the importance of the problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a minor obstruction" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes something that impedes or blocks progress in a small way, as demonstrated in the example from Ludwig that cites "a minor obstruction in the tip of the SpotBot during printing."

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a minor obstruction" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a slight hindrance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources, including science and news media. While its frequency is relatively rare, it serves the purpose of downplaying the significance of an obstacle, making it suitable for situations where reassurance is needed. When considering alternatives, options like "a slight impediment" or "a small hindrance" can offer similar nuances. Ludwig confirms the expression can be considered correct and well accepted in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight impediment

Emphasizes the hindering aspect, suggesting something that slows progress slightly.

a small hindrance

Focuses on the restrictive quality, implying a limitation that is not significant.

a trivial obstacle

Highlights the insignificance of the barrier, indicating it is easily overcome.

a minor setback

Shifts the perspective to the consequence of the obstruction, suggesting a temporary delay in progress.

a negligible barrier

Underscores the unimportance of the barrier, portraying it as almost non-existent.

a fleeting interruption

Focuses on the temporary nature of the obstruction, highlighting its short duration.

a brief delay

Simplifies the description to the impact of the obstruction, indicating a short pause.

a passing difficulty

Emphasizes the temporary and non-serious nature of the challenge.

a light encumbrance

Implies a burden that is not heavy or difficult to manage.

a petty inconvenience

Focuses on the annoying but unimportant aspect of the obstruction.

FAQs

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

You can use "a minor obstruction" to describe a small obstacle or hindrance that causes a slight delay or inconvenience. For example, "The fallen branch caused "a minor obstruction" on the road".

What are some synonyms for "a minor obstruction"?

Alternatives to "a minor obstruction" include "a slight impediment", "a small hindrance", or "a trivial obstacle", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a minor obstruction"?

It is appropriate to use "a minor obstruction" when you want to emphasize that an obstacle is small and not a major problem. It suggests that the issue is easily resolvable or does not significantly impede progress.

Is "a minor obstruction" formal or informal?

The phrase "a minor obstruction" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the audience and the overall tone of your writing to ensure it fits appropriately.