a significant obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a major challenge or barrier that hinders progress or achievement in a particular context. Example: "The lack of funding has become a significant obstacle to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The credit card sale is not large enough to present a significant obstacle to the First Union-Wachovia merger.

The New York Times

Even getting on the ballot is a significant obstacle.

The New York Times

This is a significant obstacle for implementation of RE policies.

Energy Policy

China's ambivalence about the openness essential to contain the virus is seen as a significant obstacle.

The New York Times

The violence and general security threats still pose a significant obstacle in implementing solutions.

Harvard University

But they face a significant obstacle when it comes to research funding.

Yale University

A significant obstacle in optimizing percolative materials is the challenge in their characterization.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A significant obstacle to advancing translational SCLC research is the challenge in obtaining tumor material.

Nature

A significant obstacle for women that she highlights is the "two-body problem".

The Guardian

The redundancy among ontology terms presents a significant obstacle in result interpretation.

Nature

The limited braking area at Loring, however, presents a significant obstacle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundancy by ensuring the adjective "significant" adds meaningful emphasis. If the obstacle is inherently substantial, consider using just "an obstacle".

Common error

Don't overestimate the impact by using "a significant obstacle" when the impediment is minor. Ensure the obstacle genuinely poses a considerable challenge to progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something that hinders or prevents progress. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant obstacle" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that describes a major challenge or impediment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears frequently in news, science, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being hindered and that the obstacle genuinely poses a considerable challenge. Consider alternatives like "a major impediment" or "a considerable challenge" for variety. Be mindful of potentially overstating the impact of smaller issues by using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major impediment

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment" and "significant" with "major", emphasizing the hindering aspect.

a considerable challenge

Substitutes "obstacle" with "challenge", focusing on the difficulty posed.

a substantial barrier

Replaces "obstacle" with "barrier" and "significant" with "substantial", highlighting the obstructive nature.

a notable hindrance

Replaces "obstacle" with "hindrance" and "significant" with "notable", emphasizing the delaying effect.

a key stumbling block

Uses the idiomatic expression "stumbling block" to convey a similar meaning.

a primary difficulty

Focuses on the aspect of difficulty, using "primary" instead of "significant".

a tough hurdle

Uses a more informal term, "hurdle", to represent an obstacle.

a serious roadblock

Replaces "obstacle" with "roadblock", a more direct metaphor for something that stops progress.

a critical issue

Broadens the scope to any "issue" that is crucial and impedes progress.

a major concern

Shifts the focus to the worry or anxiety caused by the obstacle.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant obstacle" to describe a major challenge hindering progress. For example, "The lack of resources is "a significant obstacle" to our success".

What phrases can I use instead of "a significant obstacle"?

You can use alternatives such as "a major impediment", "a considerable challenge", or "a substantial barrier" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "significant obstacle" or "major obstacle"?

Both "significant obstacle" and "major obstacle" are correct and often interchangeable. "Significant" emphasizes importance, while "major" emphasizes scale. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a challenge" and "a significant obstacle"?

A "challenge" is a difficulty that can be overcome, while ""a significant obstacle"" suggests a more substantial impediment that may be harder to overcome. The phrase implies a more serious impact on progress.