an overwhelming impediment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an overwhelming impediment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or barrier that is difficult to overcome in various contexts, such as personal challenges, project management, or decision-making. Example: "The lack of funding proved to be an overwhelming impediment to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"The county must be required to submit a wholesale revision, one that is focused on confronting the exclusionary zoning that is an overwhelming impediment to fair housing choice throughout white Westchester".

The New York Times

As haploinsufficiency is relatively rare [ 10], reduced copy number is not by itself an overwhelming impediment to large scale loss, as is evident from analysis of surviving duplicates in the Arabidopsis, rice, teleost, and yeast genomes [ 9, 11- 13].

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It was an overwhelming shock.

The New York Times - Magazine

They made an overwhelming case.

The New York Times

This generated an overwhelming response.

Independent

Neither is an overwhelming majority.

The New York Times

By an overwhelming majority.

The Guardian

But never in an overwhelming way.

The New York Times

It was just an overwhelming experience.

Independent

It will be an overwhelming commemoration.

The New Yorker

It was an overwhelming spiritual defeat.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an overwhelming impediment", ensure the context clearly establishes the scale and impact of the barrier. Avoid hyperbole; the impediment should genuinely present a near-insurmountable challenge.

Common error

Avoid using "an overwhelming impediment" to describe minor inconveniences. This dilutes the phrase's impact and can weaken your overall argument. Reserve it for truly significant barriers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an overwhelming impediment" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object within a sentence. According to Ludwig, the phrase describes a significant obstacle.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an overwhelming impediment" is a noun phrase that describes a significant barrier or obstacle. Ludwig AI considers the phrase grammatically correct and usable. While the phrase is not very common, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and BMC Biology. Its usage is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for news articles and professional contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the impediment is genuinely substantial and avoid overstating its impact for minor inconveniences. Consider alternatives like "a major hindrance" or "an insurmountable obstacle" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major hindrance

Replaces "impediment" with "hindrance" implying a less formal and potentially less severe obstacle. "Overwhelming" becomes "major" which has a lower level of intensity.

a massive barrier

Focuses on the size and scale of the obstacle, using simpler language and a less formal tone.

an insurmountable obstacle

Emphasizes the impossibility of overcoming the barrier, increasing the sense of difficulty, but using a more common word "obstacle" in place of "impediment".

a prohibitive constraint

Highlights the restrictive nature of the impediment, suggesting that it prevents or discourages action.

a crushing burden

Emphasizes the heavy and oppressive nature of the impediment, implying a significant weight or stress.

a crippling obstruction

Uses "crippling" and "obstruction" to suggest a debilitating and forceful barrier, conveying a stronger negative impact than the original phrase.

a sweeping limitation

Emphasizes the broad scope of the impediment's effect, suggesting it impacts many aspects or areas.

a significant stumbling block

Replaces "impediment" with a more metaphorical expression. "Stumbling block" suggests something that causes one to hesitate or fail.

a tremendous encumbrance

Uses "encumbrance" to suggest a heavy burden or responsibility that slows progress, implying difficulty and delay.

a decisive disadvantage

Shifts the focus to the competitive impact of the impediment, indicating a factor that significantly reduces one's chances of success.

FAQs

How can I use "an overwhelming impediment" in a sentence?

You can use "an overwhelming impediment" to describe something that severely hinders progress or success. For example, "The lack of funding was "an overwhelming impediment" to the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to "an overwhelming impediment"?

Alternatives include "a major hindrance", "an insurmountable obstacle", or "a crippling obstruction". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "an overwhelming impediment" a formal or informal phrase?

"An overwhelming impediment" leans towards a more formal register due to the use of the word "impediment". Simpler alternatives like "a major obstacle" may be more appropriate in informal contexts.

What makes an impediment "overwhelming"?

An impediment is "overwhelming" when its size, scope, or intensity makes it exceptionally difficult, if not impossible, to overcome. It presents a very significant challenge to success.