a small obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a minor challenge or difficulty that may be encountered in a situation. Example: "Although we faced a small obstacle in our project timeline, we were able to adjust our schedule and stay on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In one room is a small obstacle course of rocks, which testers wearing backpacks walk through to test the shoes' durability.

The New York Times

The proposed approach is based on a sensitivity analysis of a design function with respect to the insertion of a small obstacle in the fluid flow domain.

Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications

In minutes, they created a small obstacle course on the closed-off street next to the weekly farmers' market in East Harlem, as children — Asian, Latino and black girls and boys of all ages — arrived.

The New York Times

Strictly speaking, as a Democrat, Mr. Smith had no business on a Republican ballot, but, understandably for a person practiced in the customs of Albany, that seemed like a small obstacle.

The New York Times

Our analysis reveals that a small obstacle curvature in a direction perpendicular to the string axis leads to a considerable reduction in the critical amplitudes required for initiation of whirling motions.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Because acceleration is proportional to the square of velocity, a 30 cm diameter steel rimmed wheel riding over a small obstacle at 4 mph may accelerate vertically at a rate of l g and, at 60 mph, at 200g and thus consuming considerable energy.

Motor Vehicle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

If you're still having trouble, try to improve your ollie on flat ground, or find a smaller obstacle.

WikiHow

In such case, any small obstacle could be observed clearly on the response of the acceleration on the robot body.

Robotics and Biomimetics

On the surface, the inclusion or otherwise of one person in the talks process might seem like a relatively small obstacle - but as both sides know to their cost, if the details are not fully agreed by everyone, a deal could easily slip through their fingers.

BBC

There are just a few small obstacles between the inanimate present and Qualcomm's sensor- and semiconductor-filled Tomorrowland.

Forbes

The two I'd point to first are the vault — Mario basically skips over a few small obstacles streamlining the run — and the little spin Mario does to slightly extend his jump (which is often required to hit the top of a flag pole at the end of a level).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a small obstacle" to acknowledge a minor problem without exaggerating its importance. This is especially useful in project management or problem-solving contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a small obstacle" when a more significant problem exists. Overusing it can diminish the perceived seriousness of genuine challenges and reduce your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, where "small" is an adjective modifying the noun "obstacle". Ludwig AI confirms this is a usable phrase to describe a minor difficulty.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

36%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small obstacle" is a grammatically sound and usable noun phrase that describes a minor challenge or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While suitable for various contexts, it is most frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki sources. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the described obstacle is genuinely minor, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives such as "a minor inconvenience" or "a slight challenge" may offer nuanced variations, allowing for greater precision in conveying the scale of the challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor inconvenience

Replaces "obstacle" with a focus on the trouble caused, while keeping the scale small.

a slight challenge

Substitutes "obstacle" with "challenge", framing it as something to be overcome rather than a hindrance, while keeping the scale small.

a trivial difficulty

Replaces both "small" and "obstacle" to emphasize the insignificance of the problem.

a manageable hurdle

Replaces "obstacle" with "hurdle", implying something to be jumped over, and "small" with "manageable", suggesting ease of handling.

a petty issue

Replaces "obstacle" with "issue", downplaying the importance of the hindrance.

a negligible impediment

Uses more formal vocabulary to express a minor barrier.

a minor setback

Focuses on the delaying aspect of the obstacle, framing it as a temporary disruption.

a slight snag

Replaces "obstacle" with a more informal term, suggesting a small, easily fixed problem.

a small hiccup

Uses an informal term to describe a brief and insignificant disruption.

a little bump in the road

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe a minor problem along a journey.

FAQs

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

You can use "a small obstacle" to describe a minor difficulty or challenge that needs to be overcome. For example: "The project faced "a small obstacle", but the team quickly found a solution."

What are some alternatives to saying "a small obstacle"?

Alternatives include "a minor inconvenience", "a slight challenge", or "a trivial difficulty". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a small obstacle" is generally appropriate for formal writing. However, in very formal contexts, you might consider alternatives like "a minor impediment" to convey a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "a small obstacle" and "a major obstacle"?

"A small obstacle" refers to a minor challenge that is relatively easy to overcome, while "a major obstacle" indicates a significant difficulty that could potentially hinder progress or success.