a temporary obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a temporary obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a challenge or hindrance that is not permanent and can be overcome. Example: "Although we faced a temporary obstacle in our project timeline, we were able to adjust our schedule and meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But it was only a temporary obstacle to industry growth; large ocean liners can comply with the ban by using lighter fuels.

Independent

"However, it seems likely that the FTC's demands will only present a temporary obstacle in the path of Facebook's ambitions to collect its users' information.

BBC

Founder and CEO David Schrader wouldn't sell when the stock was nearly triple the current $23, and in the past year PSINet has created a temporary obstacle: $3 billion worth of 43 acquisitions worldwide have yet to be digested and debt ballooned to $3 billion.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Here, again, Brundage proved a formidable, if temporary, obstacle.

The Economist

The advices received by Captain O'Brien from Colt Humphrevs at Lisbon, show that the temporary obstacles to a fulfilment of the stipulations on the part of the United States with the Dey and Regency of Algiers are not yet removed.

Yale University

Hopping to Tikrit and Mosul and back to Baghdad today, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld urged American soldiers and their Iraqi allies to regard recent setbacks here as no more than temporary obstacles in the American-led effort to build a new, democratic Iraq.

The New York Times

The point: often faith in oneself prevails over temporary obstacles.

The New York Times

Through those long lean years of Ashes wallopings England fans relied on the small acts of defiance – the individual milestones and small, invariably temporary, obstacles thrown into the path of the Australian juggernaut – to keep themselves sane.

The Guardian - Sport

Temporary obstacles had also been put in place on the street leading up to the upper city.

Wikipedia

It's not that irresistible people don't have problems -- even big ones -- but they approach problems as temporary obstacles, not inescapable fate.

Huffington Post

Our findings confirmed that these patients interrupted ART for temporary obstacles and most of them never intended to ultimately stop ART.

Global Health Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a temporary obstacle", clearly state or imply how it will be overcome to maintain a positive and forward-looking tone.

Common error

Avoid treating "a temporary obstacle" as insurmountable. Highlight the strategies or resources that will lead to its resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a temporary obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. It identifies something that impedes progress but is not permanent. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a temporary obstacle" is a noun phrase used to describe a challenge that is not permanent. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and suggests its use is suitable across various contexts, most commonly in news and media. While considered rare, its meaning is clear, serving to contextualize setbacks with an understanding that they will eventually be overcome. Related phrases include "a passing impediment" and "a short-lived setback", providing alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a passing impediment

Emphasizes the brief duration of the obstacle.

a short-lived setback

Focuses on the temporary nature of the negative impact.

a momentary hindrance

Highlights the brief interruption caused by the obstacle.

a transient barrier

Suggests the obstacle is not permanent and will disappear.

a fleeting difficulty

Emphasizes the quick passing of the challenge.

a provisional challenge

Highlights the conditional and impermanent nature of the obstacle.

a brief complication

Focuses on the short-term complexity the obstacle introduces.

a temporary inconvenience

Downplays the severity of the obstacle by portraying it as mildly disruptive.

a stopgap measure

Conveys a temporary fix or solution.

a minor delay

Underscores the brief pause or postponement caused by the obstacle.

FAQs

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

You can use "a temporary obstacle" to describe a short-term challenge that can be overcome. For example: "The funding issue was "a temporary obstacle", but we secured a grant."

What are some alternatives to "a temporary obstacle"?

Alternatives include "a short-lived setback", "a momentary hindrance", or "a transient barrier". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "a temporary obstacle" or "an temporary obstacle"?

"A temporary obstacle" is correct. The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

What's the difference between "a temporary obstacle" and "a permanent obstacle"?

"A temporary obstacle" implies a challenge that will eventually be resolved, while "a permanent obstacle" suggests a barrier that is unlikely to disappear on its own.