a sizeable obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sizeable obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant challenge or barrier that must be overcome in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or academic situations. Example: "The lack of funding presented a sizeable obstacle to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A sizeable obstacle was removed from his path on Thursday when the Col du Galibier climb was taken off the schedule for the 20th stage due to landslides.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Visiting all the world's countries wasn't easy: war, revolution and the break-up of the Soviet Union were all sizeable obstacles that extended his mission.

BBC

For Mr Roche, the Queen's position as head of state not just of the United Kingdom but of 15 other Commonwealth countries, most of them former British colonies, has been a "sizeable psychological obstacle" to the UK's attachment to Europe.

BBC

Dunfermline, whose points deduction last season contributed to their eventual relegation, have the sizeable obstacle of Rangers to overcome if they are to reclaim an automatic place in the Championship.

BBC

Cheung Kong's offering could eat up a lot of the supply.There are still sizeable obstacles to moving yuan in and out of China, however.

The Economist

For now, there are sizeable obstacles to Republican efforts in the Valley.

The Guardian - Tech

Sizeable obstacles, aside from limited industry support, stand in the way of the act's passage – not least a Congress mired in inaction.

The Guardian - Sport

This at least offers the chance that, as president, Mr McCain would be able to make bipartisan deals with a Congress that looks certain to be heavily Democratic.But if he is to do the astonishing and win, against the odds and despite the fact that Democratic voters are more fired up than the disconsolate Republicans, Mr McCain still has to surmount some sizeable obstacles.

The Economist

Despite progress in this direction, sizeable obstacles remain, due to lax enforcement of IPR regulations and official mistrust in some government quarters.

Health Research Policy and Systems

SWX also runs virt-x, a trading platform based in London, which deals in the shares of a sizeable chunk of Switzerland's blue-chip companies.One of the main obstacles to any deal between DB and the LSE is the difference in their approach to the business.

The Economist

"That is a sizeable risk.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sizeable obstacle", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the obstacle large or significant. Providing specifics adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "a sizeable obstacle" when the challenge is relatively minor. Overstating the difficulty can undermine your credibility and create a sense of exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sizeable obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. As seen in Ludwig, it identifies a significant barrier or challenge that must be addressed. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a sizeable obstacle" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe a significant challenge. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides various examples of its usage across different domains. While not as frequent as some other phrases, its presence in news, science, and formal contexts indicates its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure the magnitude of the obstacle is clear to maintain impact. Considering alternatives like "a considerable hurdle" or "a significant impediment" can refine your expression, depending on the nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable hurdle

Replaces "obstacle" with "hurdle" suggesting a challenge that requires effort to overcome; "considerable" maintains the sense of significance.

a significant impediment

Substitutes "obstacle" with "impediment" emphasizing something that delays or prevents progress; "significant" retains the importance.

a major stumbling block

Emphasizes the potential for failure or delay, suggesting a problem that's hard to avoid.

a formidable barrier

Highlights the strength and difficulty of overcoming the obstacle.

a tough challenge

Focuses on the difficulty and effort required to overcome the obstacle.

a substantial difficulty

Replaces "obstacle" with "difficulty", highlighting the problematic nature and using "substantial" to indicate importance.

a notable hindrance

Highlights the way the obstacle holds something back.

a serious setback

Emphasizes the negative impact and potential delay caused by the obstacle.

a tricky problem

Focuses on the complexity and need for careful handling of the obstacle.

a real complication

Underlines the way the obstacle makes something more difficult or intricate.

FAQs

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

You can use "a sizeable obstacle" to describe a significant challenge or barrier. For example: "The lack of funding presented "a sizeable obstacle" to the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "a sizeable obstacle"?

You can use alternatives like "a considerable hurdle", "a significant impediment", or "a major stumbling block" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a sizeable obstacle" in formal writing?

Yes, "a sizeable obstacle" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider alternatives like "a significant barrier" or "a substantial difficulty" for added formality.

What makes "a sizeable obstacle" different from "a small obstacle"?

"A sizeable obstacle" implies that the challenge is significant and requires considerable effort to overcome, while "a small obstacle" suggests a minor challenge that can be easily addressed.