a smaller obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a smaller obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing obstacles or challenges, indicating that one is less significant or easier to overcome than another. Example: "While the project faced many challenges, the budget constraints were just a smaller obstacle compared to the tight deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 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

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

There is however, a small obstacle that need be overcome.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

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

Then, when given an input such as a user saying "go this way" and taking into account the terrain, it outputs the animation that best fits both — for example, going from a jog to hopping over a small obstacle.

TechCrunch

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

That is a small obstacle for the farms to deal with, considering Local Roots NYC only buys around 60,000 lbs of produce per year.

Huffington Post

Previous research has shown that when stepping over a gap [2] or climbing stairs [3] [5] people will make larger stepping movements when they perceive a large obstacle compared to when they perceive a small obstacle.

Plosone

But simple discrimination seems to have become a relatively smaller obstacle over the last few decades, while socioeconomic disadvantage has become a larger one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a smaller obstacle" when you want to downplay the significance of a challenge, suggesting it's less daunting compared to others or expected difficulties.

Common error

Avoid using "a smaller obstacle" when the challenge is actually substantial; doing so can undermine your credibility and misrepresent the true difficulty involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a smaller obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, where 'smaller' modifies 'obstacle'. It identifies and characterizes a challenge or impediment, indicating its relative insignificance compared to other potential obstacles. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a smaller obstacle" is a noun phrase used to describe a challenge that is relatively insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Its primary function is to downplay the difficulty of a situation. This phrase maintains a neutral register, adaptable across news, scientific, and general contexts. While occurrences are infrequent, the phrase is handy for conveying a sense of manageable challenges. Alternative phrases such as "a minor impediment" or "a slight challenge" can provide similar meaning with different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor impediment

Focuses on the hindering aspect with 'impediment', suggesting a slight obstruction.

a slight challenge

Replaces 'obstacle' with 'challenge', framing it as a test rather than a barrier, and 'smaller' with 'slight'.

a trivial difficulty

Emphasizes the insignificance of the obstacle by using 'trivial'.

a negligible hurdle

Uses 'negligible' to highlight that the obstacle is easily disregarded and 'hurdle' as a lighter variant.

a manageable setback

Frames the obstacle as a temporary delay that can be overcome with 'manageable'.

a minor snag

Implies a small, unexpected problem with 'snag'.

a light obstruction

Replaces 'smaller' with 'light' to describe the level of obstruction.

an easily overcome barrier

Focuses on the ease of overcoming the obstacle, using 'easily overcome'.

a petty inconvenience

Downplays the obstacle as a minor annoyance with 'petty inconvenience'.

a slim chance of failure

Frames the obstacle in terms of the unlikely possibility of failure, shifting the perspective.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a smaller obstacle" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, you might consider using phrases like "a minor impediment" or "a slight challenge" to convey a similar meaning with enhanced sophistication.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a smaller obstacle" in writing?

Use "a smaller obstacle" when you want to indicate that a particular challenge is less significant compared to other challenges being faced or discussed. It helps to provide context and perspective on the relative difficulty of various issues.

What are some common synonyms for "a smaller obstacle"?

Common synonyms include "a minor hurdle", "a negligible barrier", or "a trivial difficulty". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between saying "a smaller obstacle" and "a minor obstacle"?

While both phrases are similar, "a smaller obstacle" implies a literal comparison in size or scale, whereas "a minor obstacle" emphasizes the significance or impact of the obstacle. Choose the phrase that best reflects the aspect you want to highlight.