as an obstruction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as an obstruction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is blocking or hindering progress or movement in a particular context. Example: "The fallen tree acted as an obstruction on the road, preventing vehicles from passing through."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

An electric grid was used as an obstruction in the electrical copulation cage in order to determine how much an aversive stimulus the sexually naive male rat for both the treated with E. longifolia and control groups were willing to overcome to reach the estrous receptive female in the goal cage.

BioMed Research International

But Fallis doesn't see motherhood as an obstruction to creation.

The Guardian - Arts

He saw any patronage not his own as an obstruction to state-party power (meaning, of course, to Stalin himself).

The New York Times

The necrotic section cannot participate in peristaltic activity and, for all practical purposes, serves as an obstruction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The dangerous plaque is soft and fragile, produces no symptoms and would not be seen as an obstruction to blood flow.

The New York Times

"It is dangerous to tear up a novel too long, you lose it, and an abandoned novel can act as an obstruction which will destroy one's writing life.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

He conceived sin as being an obstruction to humanity's dependence on God, arguing that it is almost inevitable, but citing Jesus as an example of a sinless man, whose consciousness of God was unobstructed.

Wikipedia

"Effectively, the state wishes to compel Porter, through the farce of a grant of immunity, to lay a foundation for evidence that the state has deemed as constituting an obstruction of justice and perjury," they wrote.

Los Angeles Times

The government presented 19 witnesses in slightly more than three weeks to prove its charge that Andersen destroyed the documents as part of an obstruction effort.

The New York Times

Importantly, the results show that the presence of an interruption (as opposed to an obstruction) negatively impacted drivers' ability to anticipate the potential hazard.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

Look out for pedestrians, other road users, cyclists - you should give way to them as you are causing an obstruction.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as an obstruction", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being blocked or hindered. For instance, specify whether it's a physical object obstructing movement or an abstract concept hindering progress.

Common error

Avoid using "as an obstruction" when the intended meaning is simply a minor inconvenience. Reserve it for situations where there's a significant blockage or hindrance, not just a slight delay or annoyance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as an obstruction" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to indicate the role or function of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes something that blocks or hinders progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

52%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as an obstruction" is a prepositional phrase used to describe something that blocks or hinders progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It is most frequently encountered in Science and News & Media, and maintains a neutral register suitable for a range of writing styles. While alternatives like "as a hindrance" or "as a barrier" exist, "as an obstruction" provides a clear and direct way to convey the idea of something impeding movement or progress. Remember to use it when a real or concrete impediment is intended, and consider the context to ensure the phrase's weight matches the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a hindrance

Replaces "obstruction" with "hindrance", suggesting something that delays or impedes progress.

as a barrier

Substitutes "obstruction" with "barrier", implying a physical or figurative obstacle that prevents movement or progress.

as an impediment

Replaces "obstruction" with "impediment", indicating something that hinders or obstructs progress.

as an obstacle

Uses "obstacle" instead of "obstruction", suggesting a challenge that needs to be overcome.

as a blockage

Replaces "obstruction" with "blockage", implying a complete obstruction preventing flow or movement.

as a deterrent

Changes the focus to something that discourages or prevents action, differing slightly from a direct obstruction.

as an encumbrance

Replaces "obstruction" with "encumbrance", suggesting something burdensome that hinders progress.

as a complication

Shifts the meaning to something that makes a situation more complex or difficult, rather than a direct physical obstruction.

as an inconvenience

Weakens the sense of obstruction to something merely causing trouble or annoyance.

as a constraint

Changes the meaning to a limitation or restriction, implying a more indirect form of obstruction.

FAQs

How can I use "as an obstruction" in a sentence?

Use "as an obstruction" to describe something that is physically blocking a path or hindering progress. For example, "The fallen tree served as an obstruction on the road".

What can I say instead of "as an obstruction"?

You can use alternatives like "as a hindrance", "as a barrier", or "as an impediment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "as an obstruction" or "like an obstruction"?

"As an obstruction" directly identifies something being an obstruction. "Like an obstruction" implies a comparison, suggesting something is similar to an obstruction, but not actually one.

What's the difference between "as an obstruction" and "as an obstacle"?

While similar, "obstruction" often implies a more direct and physical blockage, whereas "as an obstacle" can refer to something that needs to be overcome, whether physical or abstract.