a new obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a new obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a recently encountered challenge or difficulty in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or academic situations. Example: "After months of progress, we faced a new obstacle that threatened to delay the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Here she encountered a new obstacle.

The New Yorker

And this time round he faces a new obstacle.

The Economist

But now a new obstacle has popped up.

The Guardian

The next day presented a new obstacle: open water.

The Guardian - Travel

But computers, smartphones and tablets are posing a new obstacle to progress.

The Economist

But every day presents a new obstacle, taking up time, eating up momentum.

The New York Times

When communism collapsed, there was a new obstacle: Western countries toughened their visa policies.

The Economist

Now a new obstacle appears on the horizon: a court battle.

The New York Times

But now they face a new obstacle: traffic cops waiting to write them a ticket.

The Guardian

Every day, the financial crisis throws up a new obstacle, and that makes valuing a takeover target almost impossible".

The New York Times

The three-week offensive has posed a new obstacle to restarting peace talks between Israel and Syria.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a new obstacle" to introduce a turning point or shift in the narrative or process being described.

Common error

Avoid using "a new obstacle" repetitively within close proximity in your writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "hurdle", "challenge", or "setback" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a new obstacle" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it introduces a recently encountered challenge or difficulty. It commonly serves as the subject or object of a sentence, highlighting a specific impediment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a new obstacle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that introduces a recently encountered challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to inform about a newly arisen problem across diverse contexts, prominently in news, media, and scientific writing. While versatile, be mindful to avoid overuse by substituting with alternatives like "a fresh challenge" or "an emerging hurdle" to enrich your writing. To ensure clarity, always explicitly state what constitutes the "new obstacle" and it's impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fresh challenge

Emphasizes the novelty of the challenge, suggesting a different approach may be needed.

an emerging hurdle

Highlights the developing nature of the obstacle, implying it's becoming more significant.

a recent setback

Focuses on the impediment to progress caused by the new obstacle.

a novel impediment

Stresses the unprecedented or unique quality of the obstacle.

a developing complication

Indicates the obstacle is evolving and could lead to further issues.

an unforeseen difficulty

Highlights the unexpected nature of the obstacle.

an unexpected hitch

Suggests a minor and usually temporary obstacle.

a surprise snag

Emphasizes the unexpected and potentially problematic nature of the obstacle.

a previously unseen barrier

Highlights the lack of prior experience with this type of obstacle.

a newly arisen problem

Focuses on the recent emergence of the issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "a new obstacle" to introduce a recently encountered challenge or difficulty, such as, "The project faced "a new obstacle" when funding was cut unexpectedly."

What's a good alternative to saying "a new obstacle"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a fresh challenge", "an emerging hurdle", or "a recent setback".

Is it grammatically correct to say "a new obstacle"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "A" is an article, "new" is an adjective, and "obstacle" is a noun, forming a standard noun phrase.

How does "a new obstacle" differ from "an old obstacle"?

"A new obstacle" refers to a recently encountered or emerging challenge, while "an old obstacle" implies a pre-existing or long-standing difficulty. The former introduces something unexpected, whereas the latter suggests a familiar or recurring issue.