a significant obstruction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a significant obstruction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a major hindrance or barrier in various contexts, such as physical, metaphorical, or procedural situations. Example: "The fallen tree created a significant obstruction on the road, preventing any vehicles from passing through."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

If a significant obstruction is noted, angioplasty, usually with stent placement, or bypass surgery is frequently performed.

The New York Times

"But uncomfortably high inflation is a significant obstruction.

BBC

A significant obstruction of gene silencing by the same siRNA, however, was observed to be caused by structural features of the substrate RNA.

Journal of Molecular Biology

CABG was advised when there was (1) a significant obstruction of the left main, (2) three-vessel disease (i.e. three different coronary vessels with a significant stenosis), or (3) two-vessel disease (i.e. two different coronary vessels with a significant stenosis) including a proximal LAD stenosis.

European Radiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the Agatston score scale as a predictor of significant obstruction identified by MDCT was 0.80 (95% CI: 0.68 to 0.91); P < 0.001.

Critical Care

Presence of higher flow in the distal segment of descending thoracic aorta compared to the proximal segment is an indicator of hemodynamically significant obstruction due to filling of the distal aorta by collateral vessels.

Insights into Imaging

The draft report, by Republican members of the House Government Reform Committee, also describes the Clinton administration's failure to inform Congress about the missing messages immediately in 1998 as "the most significant obstruction" of a Congressional inquiry in American history.

The New York Times

Importantly, at age 70 years, the expected FEV1/FVC ratio would be about 74%, a value approaching the 70% criterion used for diagnosing significant obstruction.

Clinical interventions in aging

It is postulated that significant obstruction leads to decreased ipsilateral renal function.

The Journal of Urology

Treatment is with surgical resection when there is either hemodynamically significant obstruction or aortic valvular involvement [35].

Insights into Imaging

Differentiating features from adenocarcinoma include preservation of the extramural fat planes, luminal restriction without significant obstruction and thickening of adjacent levator ani [22].

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant obstruction", ensure that the context clearly defines what is being obstructed and why it is considered significant. For example, "The bureaucratic processes posed a significant obstruction to the project's timely completion."

Common error

Avoid using "a significant obstruction" for minor or trivial impediments. The term implies a considerable impact, so ensure the obstruction genuinely warrants the adjective "significant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant obstruction" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies something as a noteworthy impediment, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples relating to coronary arteries and gene silencing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant obstruction" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a notable impediment or barrier. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not overly common, it finds usage primarily in scientific and news contexts, maintaining a neutral to formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure the obstruction truly warrants the adjective "significant", avoiding its use for trivial matters. Related phrases such as "a major impediment" and "a considerable barrier" can be used depending on the specific context. It’s crucial to understand the scale of the obstruction for proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major impediment

Focuses on the hindering aspect, emphasizing difficulty in making progress.

a considerable barrier

Highlights the aspect of something blocking progress or access.

a substantial obstacle

Emphasizes the size or importance of the thing that blocks progress.

a serious hindrance

Highlights the impeding nature of the obstruction.

a notable blockage

Emphasizes the physical aspect of being blocked.

a key bottleneck

Highlights a point of congestion that slows down overall progress.

a primary stumbling block

Implies a difficulty that causes mistakes or halts progress.

a critical impediment

Emphasizes the essential nature of the obstruction that stops or slows progression.

a major hurdle

Emphasizes the challenge that needs to be overcome.

a considerable encumbrance

Highlights the burdensome nature of the impediment.

FAQs

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

Use "a significant obstruction" to describe a notable barrier or impediment. For instance, "The lack of funding became "a significant obstruction" to the research team's progress."

What are some alternatives to saying "a significant obstruction"?

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

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

Both "significant obstruction" and "major obstruction" are acceptable, but "significant" implies importance and impact, while "major" implies size or extent. The choice depends on the aspect you want to emphasize.

What kind of situations warrant the use of the phrase "a significant obstruction"?

Use "a significant obstruction" when describing situations where progress is substantially hindered or blocked by a notable impediment, whether it's a physical barrier, a procedural issue, or a metaphorical obstacle.