a primary obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main challenge or barrier that one faces in a particular situation or context. Example: "The lack of funding has become a primary obstacle to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Intuit has been a primary obstacle to the effort.

The New York Times - Tech

The memo notes: "Mangoma said that a primary obstacle to political progress and reform was the service chiefs.

The Guardian

A primary obstacle is, of course, Mr. Clinton's claim that he did not testify falsely, which is an insult to the public's intelligence.

The New York Times

The inability to produce large quantities of nanofibers has been a primary obstacle in advancement and commercialization of electrospinning technologies, especially when aligned nanofibers are desired.

Carbohydrate Polymers

Silence, whether due to the official censorship regarding the war in Algeria or the social censorship of the experience of the Holocaust, comes off as a prolongation and repetition of trauma, a primary obstacle to self-realization and self-fulfillment.

The New Yorker

The farmers said labor was a primary obstacle to the expansion of the dairy industry in New York, the fourth largest in the nation, with 610,000 milk cows.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Already, 80% of the world's population lives within range of a mobile network; but only about 25% have a mobile phone.The primary obstacle to wider adoption is the cost of handsets.

The Economist

Robert Tisch, a co-owner of the Giants, said the primary obstacle to an agreement was over how much the team would pay to take over the stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

However, the primary obstacle to such an approach is the present lack of suitable antisera for many of the proteins involved in these defects.

Plosone

But, he said in a telephone interview, security was not the primary obstacle to the distribution of aid.

The New York Times

RB: A 2015 Harris Poll found that the primary obstacle to getting work done is having to attend meetings.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by considering synonyms like "key challenge", "major impediment", or "significant barrier" to avoid repetition and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "a primary obstacle" when the issue is merely a minor inconvenience. Reserve this phrase for genuinely significant impediments that substantially hinder progress or success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary obstacle" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant impediment or challenge within a given context. Ludwig's examples show its usage across diverse domains, reinforcing its role as a designator of major hindrances. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary obstacle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the main impediment or challenge in various situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to focus attention on the most critical issue hindering progress. When using this phrase, it's best practice to ensure it accurately reflects the most significant hurdle and to consider synonyms for variety. Avoid overstating its importance to maintain credibility and choose the proper word. Overall, "a primary obstacle" is a valuable phrase for clear and direct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key challenge

Replaces "obstacle" with "challenge", focusing on the difficulty aspect.

a major impediment

Substitutes "obstacle" with "impediment", highlighting something that hinders progress.

a significant barrier

Uses "barrier" instead of "obstacle", emphasizing the blocking nature of the problem.

the main stumbling block

Replaces "primary obstacle" with a more idiomatic expression.

the principal hurdle

Substitutes "obstacle" with "hurdle", suggesting a challenge to overcome.

a foremost difficulty

Uses "difficulty" instead of "obstacle", focusing on the problematic nature.

the chief constraint

Replaces "obstacle" with "constraint", highlighting a limiting factor.

the leading drawback

Substitutes "obstacle" with "drawback", focusing on the negative aspect.

a critical bottleneck

Uses "bottleneck" instead of "obstacle", emphasizing a point of congestion or blockage.

the central snag

Replaces "primary obstacle" with a more informal term.

FAQs

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

You can use "a primary obstacle" to identify the main challenge or barrier in a given situation. For example, "Lack of funding is "a primary obstacle" to the project's completion".

What can I say instead of "a primary obstacle"?

You can use alternatives like "a key challenge", "a major impediment", or "a significant barrier" depending on the context.

Is "main obstacle" or "primary obstacle" more appropriate?

Both "main obstacle" and "primary obstacle" are acceptable. "Primary obstacle" often implies that it is the most important or fundamental obstacle, while "main obstacle" simply indicates that it is the primary one.

What is the difference between "a primary obstacle" and "a secondary obstacle"?

"A primary obstacle" refers to the main or most significant impediment, while "a secondary obstacle" indicates a less important or less impactful challenge. Addressing the "a primary obstacle" is usually the priority.