a significant hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant hurdle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a problem or challenge that is difficult to overcome. For example: "Finding the right sources of funding was a significant hurdle for the new business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In many places where growth has outstripped supplies, that is becoming a significant hurdle.

The New York Times

Of course, business school can also be a significant hurdle for passionate founders.

The New York Times

"But you will have to overcome a significant hurdle in going down that route".

The New York Times

Raising funds to finance projects with a novel technology will therefore be a significant hurdle for Trident.

The Guardian

A dispute among plaintiffs has been a significant hurdle to settlement talks, people close to the discussions said.

The New York Times

Cost can be a significant hurdle in deploying indoor positioning systems based on infrared or radio-frequency technology.

The New York Times - Tech

But they are confronting a significant hurdle: their poor foreign-language skills, in particular a lack of English.

The New York Times

As she grows older, however, there will be a significant hurdle to confront because Hollywood's love affair with youth runs even deeper with women.

The New York Times

The results indicate that the taxing physical examination, which was fashioned after legal challenges to previous tests, remains a significant hurdle for many female firefighter candidates.

The New York Times

Obviously a significant hurdle remained to be cleared, but at least Thorne could approach the final against Davis in a positive frame of mind.

The Guardian - Sport

That figure was set to deter potential buyers after the player's £16m move from Independiente in 2006, but would not provide a significant hurdle to City's new owners.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider quantifying the impact of the hurdle. For example, instead of just saying "a significant hurdle", you could say "a significant hurdle increasing costs by 20%".

Common error

Avoid using "a significant hurdle" for minor inconveniences. Overstating the impact can diminish the credibility of your writing. Ensure the hurdle genuinely presents a considerable challenge to the overall goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant hurdle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a challenge or obstacle that is notably difficult to overcome. As shown in Ludwig, it points to a difficult challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant hurdle" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a notable challenge or obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly defines the obstacle and its impact. Consider alternative phrases like "major impediment" or "substantial challenge" for variety. By understanding its usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively incorporate "a significant hurdle" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable obstacle

Replaces "hurdle" with "obstacle", emphasizing the blocking nature of the challenge. "Considerable" suggests a notable size or impact, close to "significant".

a major impediment

Uses "impediment" instead of "hurdle", highlighting something that hinders progress. "Major" emphasizes the substantial nature of the obstruction.

a substantial challenge

Substitutes "hurdle" with "challenge", framing it as something that requires effort to overcome. "Substantial" indicates a considerable degree of difficulty.

a formidable barrier

Replaces "hurdle" with "barrier", stressing the element of obstruction or prevention. "Formidable" means something that inspires fear or respect due to its size or power.

a tough obstacle

Uses "obstacle" instead of "hurdle", and "tough" to highlight the difficulty in overcoming it.

a considerable difficulty

Replaces "hurdle" with "difficulty", a more general term for something that causes trouble. "Considerable" suggests a notable degree.

a major stumbling block

Uses the idiomatic expression "stumbling block" to mean something that prevents progress or causes failure. "Major" reinforces the significance.

a significant problem

Generalizes "hurdle" to "problem", indicating an issue needing resolution. Keeps "significant" to denote importance.

a serious setback

Replaces "hurdle" with "setback", framing it as a reversal or delay in progress. "Serious" emphasizes the negative impact.

a notable barrier

Uses "barrier" instead of "hurdle", emphasizing prevention. "Notable" suggests it is worthy of attention or easily noticed.

FAQs

What does "a significant hurdle" mean?

The phrase "a significant hurdle" refers to a notable problem or challenge that makes progress difficult. It implies that overcoming this obstacle will require considerable effort.

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

You can use "a significant hurdle" to describe any situation where a particular problem is substantially hindering progress. For example: "The lack of funding is "a significant hurdle" to the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to "a significant hurdle"?

Alternatives to "a significant hurdle" include "a considerable obstacle", "a major impediment", or "a substantial challenge", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "significant hurdle" or "major hurdle"?

Both "significant hurdle" and "major hurdle" are acceptable. "Significant" implies importance and impact, while "major" suggests scale or size. The best choice depends on which aspect you want to emphasize.