a significant barrier to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant barrier to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an obstacle or hindrance that has considerable impact on achieving a goal or objective. Example: "The lack of funding is a significant barrier to the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think there is now a significant barrier to entry.

The Guardian - Tech

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

What is unfortunate is that the continued denial of a serious public health issue creates a significant barrier to action.

The Guardian

But the current state certification processes are so expensive and drawn-out that they are a significant barrier to entry.

The New York Times

Land ownership was a significant barrier to establishing plants in eastern Germany.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A significant barrier to business fell in May.

Forbes

Clearly, it will stand as a significant barrier to reversion to virulence.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Vascularization remains a significant barrier to generation of clinically relevant volumes of adipose tissue.

Comprehensive Biomaterials II

Attention system abnormalities represent a significant barrier to scholastic achievement in children with neurofibromatosis-1 (NF1).

Experimental Neurology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant barrier to", ensure the context clearly defines what goal or objective is being hindered. Be specific to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant barrier to" when describing minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the barrier genuinely has a substantial impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant barrier to" functions as a noun phrase that identifies something posing a substantial obstacle. Ludwig examples confirm its role in highlighting impediments across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a significant barrier to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a substantial obstacle. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's applicable across various contexts, primarily within science, news, and business domains. While versatile, it's crucial to reserve its use for situations where the impediment genuinely carries significant weight. To add variety, consider alternatives such as "a major impediment to" or "a considerable hindrance to". Remember to use the phrase accurately to convey the true impact of the barrier being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major impediment to

Replaces "significant barrier" with "major impediment", emphasizing the obstructive nature.

a substantial obstacle to

Substitutes "significant barrier" with "substantial obstacle", highlighting the considerable difficulty.

a serious impediment for

Replaces "significant barrier" with "serious impediment", emphasizing the gravity of the obstacle.

a considerable hindrance to

Uses "considerable hindrance" instead of "significant barrier", denoting an important delay or obstruction.

a primary obstacle for

Uses "primary obstacle" instead of "significant barrier", stressing its importance.

a major stumbling block for

Substitutes "significant barrier" with "major stumbling block", highlighting the hindrance to progress.

a notable constraint on

Replaces "significant barrier" with "notable constraint", focusing on the limiting aspect.

a substantial limitation on

Uses "substantial limitation" instead of "significant barrier", focusing on the restrictive nature.

a key challenge for

Substitutes "significant barrier" with "key challenge", framing it as a difficulty to overcome.

a formidable hurdle for

Replaces "significant barrier" with "formidable hurdle", underscoring the difficulty in overcoming it.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant barrier to" to describe something that considerably hinders progress or achievement. For instance, "Lack of funding is "a significant barrier to" the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "a significant barrier to"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "a significant barrier to" in formal writing?

Yes, "a significant barrier to" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic, business, and professional contexts, as shown by its usage in sources such as "scientific journals" and "news articles".

What's the difference between "a significant barrier to" and "a minor obstacle to"?

"A significant barrier to" indicates a substantial impediment that seriously affects progress, while "a minor obstacle to" suggests a smaller, less impactful challenge. The choice depends on the scale and impact of the impediment.