a significant barrier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant barrier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an obstacle or hindrance that has considerable impact or importance in a given context. Example: "The lack of funding presents a significant barrier to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We believe this provides a significant barrier for bidders".

The Guardian - Business

I think there is now a significant barrier to entry.

The Guardian - Tech

But even in the US, cost is a significant barrier.

The Guardian

London has already broken through a significant barrier.

The Guardian - Sport

Cluster munitions are a significant barrier to agriculture and land development.

The Guardian

However many sectors are facing a "growing skills shortage" which is a "significant barrier to growth".

The Guardian

While this creates opportunities for entrepreneurial data scientists, it is a significant barrier to transparency.

The Guardian

A significant barrier continues to be the lack of opportunity to study computer science before college.

University of California, Berkeley

However, recalcitrance towards traditional chemical processes and solvents provides a significant barrier to widespread utility.

Nature

That's time consuming, fiddly and a significant barrier to quick connections.

MIT Technology Review

For the inexperienced user, this can pose a significant barrier to entry.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant barrier", ensure the context clearly explains what the barrier is preventing or hindering. Clarity is key to conveying the impact of the barrier.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant barrier" when the obstacle is minor or easily overcome. Reserve this phrase for challenges that genuinely have a substantial impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant barrier" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object. It identifies and characterizes an obstacle or impediment that is noteworthy in its impact or importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant barrier" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase to denote a notable obstacle. As Ludwig AI states, it’s suitable for describing impediments that have a considerable impact. Its prevalence across news, scientific, and academic sources underscores its versatility and clarity. When using this phrase, ensure that the context explicitly defines what is being hindered and that the barrier genuinely warrants the descriptor "significant". Alternatives like "a major obstacle" or "a considerable hindrance" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major impediment

Replaces "barrier" with "impediment", implying something that hinders progress or movement. Emphasizes the act of obstructing more than the barrier itself.

a considerable obstacle

Substitutes "significant" with "considerable" and "barrier" with "obstacle", suggesting a substantial challenge to overcome.

a substantial hurdle

Uses "hurdle" to represent a challenge that needs to be overcome, slightly more active than a passive barrier.

a notable constraint

Emphasizes the limiting aspect of the barrier, focusing on restriction rather than obstruction.

a formidable challenge

Highlights the difficulty in overcoming the barrier, portraying it as something daunting.

a key obstacle

Replaces "significant" with "key", focusing on the importance of the obstacle, suggesting it is essential to address.

a primary hindrance

Uses "hindrance" to express something that delays or prevents progress, with "primary" highlighting its importance.

a large stumbling block

Emphasizes the potential for the barrier to cause failure or mistakes.

a tough impediment

Focuses on the difficulty presented by the impediment.

a severe limitation

Emphasizes the restrictive nature of the barrier, highlighting its impact on scope or possibility.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant barrier" in a sentence?

Use "a significant barrier" to describe something that obstructs progress or access. For example: "The cost of the program is "a significant barrier" for many potential students."

What's a less formal way to say "a significant barrier"?

In less formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a major obstacle" or "a big challenge" which convey a similar meaning but with a more casual tone.

What can I say instead of "a significant barrier"?

You can use alternatives like "a major obstacle", "a considerable hindrance", or "a substantial impediment" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a significant barrier" and "a major barrier"?

While both phrases convey a substantial obstacle, "a significant barrier" might imply something that is important or noteworthy, while "a major barrier" simply emphasizes the size or scale of the obstacle.