a new impediment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a new impediment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a recently encountered obstacle or hindrance in a situation or process. Example: "The team faced a new impediment when the funding was unexpectedly cut."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The judge's decision created a new impediment to free speech for students, and we want an appeals court to review it," he said.

The New York Times

Just when relations between the United States and Iran seemed to be turning for the better as a result of President Obama's recent overture to Iran, a new impediment emerged.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In a larger sense, a new limit on congressional power under the Commerce Clause would represent a crucial new impediment to all attempts by the federal government to address national problems.

The New Yorker

New impediments—subsidies to domestic firms, for instance, local content requirements, bogus health-and-safety requirements—have gained popularity.

The Economist

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is preparing to increase the use of military commissions to prosecute Guantánamo detainees, an acknowledgment that the prison in Cuba remains open for business after Congress imposed steep new impediments to closing the facility.

The New York Times

In any event, developing countries should be advised to use this method until their financial systems are ready to participate properly in the global capital market.Rich-country banks will oppose this, because they would be the principal losers from new impediments to short-term bank inflows to developing countries.

The Economist

That position is to have "full access to European markets and maintains the benefits of the single market and the customs union… with no new impediments to trade and no reduction in rights, standards and protections".

Vice

Fees imposed on high-risk borrowers of up to 2% of the mortgage amount have been reduced or eliminated, and applicants in many cases no longer need a new property appraisal.A big impediment to refinancing had been the banks who originate the mortgages and then sell them to Fannie and Freddie for inclusion in mortgage-backed securities.

The Economist

Abu Adallah is a young, charismatic man that sees the old-line Muslim extremists as an impediment to a new Islamic future.

Forbes

The case involved a young female who was playing soccer when lightning struck within several feet of where she was standing, resulting in loss of consciousness, paresthesias, tinnitus, muscle spasms and most importantly a new onset of a speech impediment.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

There are other impediments to a new relationship between the United States and Syria, including the still unresolved question of who killed Rafik Hariri, the former Lebanese Prime Minister, who was assassinated in February, 2005.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a new impediment", ensure it clearly refers to a recently arisen obstacle, distinct from previously existing ones. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a new impediment" when a more specific adjective would be more descriptive. For example, instead of "a new financial impediment", consider "an unexpected financial impediment" if the issue was primarily its unexpected nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a new impediment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. As shown by Ludwig, it identifies a specific obstacle or hindrance that has recently emerged.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a new impediment" is a noun phrase used to introduce a recently encountered obstacle. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, although it appears more frequently in news and media. While “impediment” itself carries a sense of hindrance, adding “new” emphasizes the recency or unexpected nature of the obstacle. Alternatives such as “"a recent obstacle"” or “"a fresh hurdle"” can offer similar meanings. When employing this phrase, consider whether the “newness” is a critical aspect to highlight; otherwise, more specific adjectives might prove more descriptive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a recent obstacle

Focuses on the recency and obstructiveness of the barrier.

a fresh hurdle

Emphasizes the novelty and the challenge posed by the obstacle.

a novel hindrance

Highlights the originality and the impeding nature of the situation.

an emerging barrier

Suggests that the obstacle is just beginning to appear or have an effect.

a newly created obstacle

Directly points out that the obstacle was created recently.

an additional challenge

Highlights that the challenge adds onto existing ones.

another setback

Focuses on the negative impact of the obstacle on progress.

a further complication

Emphasizes the intricacy and difficulty added by the new factor.

a developing problem

Presents it as a problem that is in the process of becoming.

an unforeseen difficulty

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "a new impediment" in a sentence?

You can use "a new impediment" to introduce a recently encountered obstacle or hindrance. For example, "The project faced "a new impediment" when the main supplier went bankrupt".

What are some alternatives to saying "a new impediment"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a recent obstacle", "a fresh hurdle", or "an emerging barrier".

Is it redundant to say "a new impediment"?

While the word 'impediment' inherently suggests something that hinders progress, using 'new' can emphasize that the obstacle is recently encountered or previously unknown, clarifying the specific context.

What's the difference between "a new impediment" and "an old impediment"?

"A new impediment" refers to a recently arisen obstacle, while "an old impediment" refers to a pre-existing or long-standing obstacle. Understanding this distinction is crucial for accurately portraying the context of a situation.