a serious obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant challenge or hindrance that impedes progress or success in a situation. Example: "The lack of funding has become a serious obstacle to the project's completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Illiteracy represents a serious obstacle blocking the world's most vulnerable populations from receiving critical health information and services.

Huffington Post

Tribal ownership is found in many African countries and proves a serious obstacle to effective modern management.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The lack of housing has already emerged as a serious obstacle for the people who were displaced.

The New York Times

Third is a change in India's labour laws, which act as a serious obstacle to labour-intensive manufacturing.

The Economist

The Canadian Shield posed a serious obstacle to transcontinental planning.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Usability problems associated with virtual environments are a serious obstacle to their successful development.

International Journal of Human-Computer Studies

Resistance to antineoplastic drugs represents a serious obstacle to successful cancer treatment.

Drug Discovery Today

A serious obstacle to China's economic reform is the lack of a sustainable pension system.

Journal of Comparative Economics

The local character of this meteorological phenomenon is a serious obstacle to forecasting.

Atmospheric Research

Nonetheless, the lack of experimental data regarding this option is a serious obstacle.

Waste Management

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Fluctuations in solar irradiance are a serious obstacle for the future large-scale application of photovoltaics.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a serious obstacle", ensure that the context clearly explains the nature and impact of the obstacle to emphasize its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a serious obstacle" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the challenge genuinely threatens progress or success. Misusing it can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious obstacle" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject complement or an object in a sentence, identifying something that hinders or impedes progress. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a significant challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious obstacle" is a common phrase used to describe a significant impediment to progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, particularly science, news, and encyclopedic content. While its register is generally neutral to professional, it's essential to reserve it for genuinely challenging situations to maintain its impact. When aiming for stylistic variation, consider alternatives such as "a significant impediment" or "a major roadblock". Remember to clearly explain the nature and impact of the obstacle in your writing for maximum clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impediment

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment" and "serious" with "significant", both synonyms maintaining a similar level of formality and impact.

a major roadblock

Uses a more metaphorical term, "roadblock", to suggest a barrier to progress, implying a physical or figurative obstruction that is significant.

a considerable hurdle

Substitutes "obstacle" with "hurdle", suggesting a challenge that needs to be overcome. The term "considerable" indicates the size of the challenge.

a substantial challenge

Replaces "obstacle" with "challenge", focusing on the demanding nature of the situation. "Substantial" emphasizes the weight and difficulty of the challenge.

a grave difficulty

Employs "grave" to highlight the severity of the difficulty, increasing the seriousness conveyed in the original phrase.

a formidable barrier

Uses "formidable" to describe the barrier, emphasizing its intimidating and difficult-to-overcome nature.

a tough impediment

Replaces 'serious' with 'tough' providing a less formal alternative. The level of the difficulty remains relatively the same.

a critical issue

Shifts the focus to the problematic nature of the issue, indicating that it is of utmost importance and needs to be addressed urgently.

a major stumbling block

Employs a figurative term, "stumbling block", indicating something that causes one to hesitate or make a mistake, suggesting a hindrance to progress.

a weighty problem

Focuses on the burdensome nature of the problem. "Weighty" suggests the problem is significant and demanding of attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "a serious obstacle" to describe something that significantly hinders progress or success. For example, "Lack of funding is "a serious obstacle" to completing the project."

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

Alternatives include "a significant impediment", "a major roadblock", or "a considerable hurdle". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "a serious obstacle" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure that the severity of the obstacle justifies the use of the word "serious". In less formal contexts, consider alternatives like "a tough challenge".

What is the difference between "a serious obstacle" and "a minor obstacle"?

"A serious obstacle" indicates a significant impediment that greatly affects progress, while "a minor obstacle" refers to a small, easily overcome challenge. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difficulty.