a substantial obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant barrier or hindrance to achieving a goal or completing a task. Example: "The new regulations present a substantial obstacle to the company's expansion plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

showing on the record before us" that these requirements constitute a "substantial obstacle" to abortion decisions.

Cornell University

However, immune rejection is a substantial obstacle to implantation of genetically engineered allogeneic or xenogeneic cells.

Transplantation Proceedings

As the judge rightly said, this provision constitutes "a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking an abortion".

The Guardian - Opinion

Third, effective dissemination is a substantial obstacle, and delivery is easily disrupted by environmental and meteorological conditions.

The Economist

However, the long start-up period remains a substantial obstacle in the stable operation of the UASB reactor.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

There, the Supreme Court said the "undue burden" meant the regulation had to put a "substantial obstacle" in the way of women seeking to terminate their pregnancies.

Columbia University

That buy-in requirement could present a substantial obstacle for aid and philanthropy, since nonprofits and governments tend to be risk averse and slow to adopt innovative solutions.

Stanford University

That, of course, brings us right back to square one: Defining an "undue burden" as an "undue hindrance" (or a "substantial obstacle") hardly "clarifies" the test.

Cornell University

But the filmmakers' tendency to seek the same results with their living actors as they would with their puppets is also a substantial obstacle.

The New York Times

"Each places a substantial obstacle in the path of women seeking a previability abortion, each constitutes an undue burden on abortion access … and each violates the Federal Constitution".

The Guardian

In the early stages of pregnancy, the court barred only laws that are a "substantial obstacle to a woman seeking an abortion".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial obstacle", consider the audience and context. In formal writing, it conveys a serious impediment, while in informal settings, it might sound overly dramatic. Choose synonyms like "major challenge" or "significant barrier" for broader appeal.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial obstacle" when a simpler term like "difficulty" or "problem" suffices. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted and unnatural. Reserve "a substantial obstacle" for situations where the impediment is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies something that impedes progress or achievement. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "a substantial obstacle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to denote a significant impediment or challenge. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct. It appears most commonly in News & Media, Science, and Academia, indicating a formal to neutral register. When employing this phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure appropriateness. For simpler contexts, alternatives like "difficulty" or "problem" might be more suitable. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios where the impediment is truly significant. Overall, "a substantial obstacle" effectively communicates a considerable barrier to progress, but its impact can be maximized by thoughtful consideration of the writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impediment

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment" and "substantial" with "significant", both synonyms, maintaining the meaning of a notable hindrance.

a major stumbling block

Uses a more figurative term, "stumbling block", to represent something that hinders progress, and "major" instead of "substantial".

a considerable barrier

Substitutes "obstacle" with "barrier" and "substantial" with "considerable", indicating a significant obstruction.

a formidable challenge

Shifts the focus to the difficulty presented by the obstacle, using "formidable challenge" to express a significant difficulty.

a serious impediment

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

a noteworthy hindrance

Uses "hindrance" as a synonym for "obstacle" and "noteworthy" to indicate its importance.

a tough hurdle

Employs the metaphor of a "hurdle" to represent an obstacle, portraying it as a difficult barrier to overcome.

a great disadvantage

Focuses on the negative impact of the obstacle, describing it as a significant disadvantage.

a difficult challenge

Highlights the difficulty posed by the obstacle, presenting it as a "difficult challenge".

a tough proposition

Presents the obstacle as a "tough proposition", implying a difficult situation or undertaking.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial obstacle" to describe anything that significantly hinders progress. For example, "Lack of funding proved "a substantial obstacle" to the project's completion".

What are some synonyms for "a substantial obstacle"?

Alternatives include "a significant impediment", "a major stumbling block", or "a considerable barrier". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a substantial obstacle" or "a significant obstacle"?

Both "a substantial obstacle" and "a significant obstacle" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Substantial" emphasizes the size or degree of the obstacle, while "significant" emphasizes its importance or consequence. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Can "a substantial obstacle" be used in both formal and informal writing?

While grammatically correct in both contexts, "a substantial obstacle" is more suited for formal writing. In informal settings, simpler phrases like "a big problem" or "a major challenge" might be more appropriate.