a substantial barrier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial barrier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or hindrance in various contexts, such as in discussions about challenges in projects, policies, or personal situations. Example: "The lack of funding presents a substantial barrier to the success of the initiative."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Together, the proof of dominant market share and the existence of a substantial barrier to effective entry create the presumption that Microsoft enjoys monopoly power.

The New York Times

Such epidemiological evidence "should make us feel safe that there's a substantial barrier," he said, noting the small number of people who have been infected.

The New York Times - Science

It won't make the new iPhone 'unhackable' by any stretch of the imagination, but it will be a substantial barrier for criminals and will hopefully deter theft.

Independent

"Given the number of years it takes to train suitably skilled and qualified staff we believe a substantial barrier to the expansion of seven-day services could be insufficient numbers of appropriately trained staff".

The Guardian

And when Chinese companies spend these dollars outside the United States, they do not run up against American national security laws, which have been a substantial barrier to Chinese investment.

The New York Times

Prediction of immunogenicity is a substantial barrier in vaccine design.

Vaccine

Elevated interstitial fluid pressure can present a substantial barrier to drug delivery in solid tumors.

Biophysical Journal

However, the high instrumentation cost presents a substantial barrier, much of it associated with fluorescence detection.

Journal of Chromatography A

Implementing equilibrium-mapping tools in Python removes a substantial barrier to new development in and porting legacy code into Python.

Computer Physics Communications

For companies entering the emerging software as a service industry, the massive time and capital requirements remain a substantial barrier to entry.

TechCrunch

In a developing country without these resources, the same learning curve may present a substantial barrier to applying more technically complex ecosystem service assessment tools.

Forest Ecosystems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing challenges in a formal setting, use "a substantial barrier" to convey a serious impediment that requires significant effort to overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial barrier" for minor inconveniences. Reserve this phrase for situations where the obstacle genuinely poses a significant threat to progress or success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial barrier" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a significant obstacle or impediment. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to highlight something that hinders progress or access.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial barrier" is a widely used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies a significant obstacle or impediment. As Ludwig AI indicates, its use spans across diverse fields like science, news, and business, reflecting its versatility in describing considerable challenges. The phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, emphasizing the weight and impact of the barrier being described. Alternatives like "a significant impediment" or "a major obstacle" can be used to achieve similar effects, while it's important to avoid using the phrase for minor inconveniences. Given its frequency and clarity, "a substantial barrier" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impediment

Replaces "barrier" with "impediment", indicating something that delays or prevents progress.

a major obstacle

Substitutes "substantial" with "major", emphasizing the importance and size of the obstacle.

a considerable hurdle

Uses "hurdle" instead of "barrier", suggesting a challenge that needs to be overcome.

a formidable challenge

Replaces "barrier" with "challenge", highlighting the difficulty involved.

a significant stumbling block

Emphasizes the hindering nature of the barrier, suggesting it causes one to falter.

a weighty constraint

Indicates that the barrier acts as a limitation or restriction with considerable impact.

a tough impediment

Uses "tough" instead of "substantial", suggesting the difficulty of overcoming the impediment.

a serious obstacle

Replaces "substantial" with "serious", emphasizing the gravity of the obstacle.

a pronounced limitation

Highlights the restrictive aspect of the barrier, implying it is easily noticeable.

a notable hindrance

Indicates the barrier is significant enough to be worthy of attention.

FAQs

How can I use "a substantial barrier" in a sentence?

You can use "a substantial barrier" to describe a significant obstacle. For example, "The high cost of materials is "a substantial barrier" to completing the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial barrier"?

Some alternatives include "a significant impediment", "a major obstacle", or "a considerable hurdle", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "a significant barrier" or "a substantial barrier"?

Both "a significant barrier" and "a substantial barrier" are correct and often interchangeable. "Substantial" implies something of considerable size or importance, while "significant" emphasizes the importance or effect. Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you wish to convey.

In what contexts is "a substantial barrier" most commonly used?

As seen in Ludwig's examples, "a substantial barrier" is frequently used in scientific, news, and business contexts to describe significant challenges or impediments in areas such as research, policy, and market entry.