barrier to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "barrier to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an obstacle or hindrance that prevents progress or access to something. Example: "The lack of funding is a significant barrier to the development of new technologies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

There's no barrier to entry.

The New York Times - Sports

A barrier, to say the least.

The New York Times

There is one barrier to overcome.

The New York Times

This was a barrier to market entry.

The Economist

Another barrier to greater competition is linguistic.

The Economist

The barrier to entry is gone.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

It removes barriers to crowdfunding.

The Economist

This increases barriers to switching.

The Economist

"The barriers to entry were too high.

Independent

Liberalised markets mean few barriers to entry.

The Economist

creates significant barriers to civil society participation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "barrier to", ensure clarity about what is being impeded. Specify the goal or action that the barrier is preventing for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "barrier to" vaguely. Instead of saying 'There are barriers to success', specify what those barriers are, such as 'Lack of funding is a barrier to success'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "barrier to" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate an obstacle or impediment. It is often used to describe something that prevents or restricts access or progress, as seen in Ludwig's examples like 'a barrier to entry' or 'a barrier to education'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "barrier to" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an obstacle or impediment, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts to highlight factors that hinder progress or access. While alternatives like "obstacle to" or "impediment to" exist, "barrier to" remains a direct and widely understood choice. Remember to clearly specify what the barrier is preventing for the most effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impediment to

Emphasizes an obstruction or hindrance to progress or action; more formal.

obstacle to

Focuses on something that blocks or impedes progress; very similar in meaning and usage.

hindrance to

Suggests something that delays or obstructs progress; slightly less direct.

roadblock to

Implies a complete obstruction, preventing any further progress.

deterrent to

Highlights something that discourages or prevents action through fear or doubt.

drawback to

Focuses on a negative aspect that makes something less attractive or effective.

challenge for

Indicates a difficult task or problem that needs to be overcome.

setback for

Emphasizes a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

complication for

Suggests an added difficulty or complexity.

curb on

Implies a restriction or limitation.

FAQs

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

Use "barrier to" to describe something that prevents or hinders progress. For example, "High costs are a significant "barrier to" accessing quality healthcare".

What are some alternatives to "barrier to"?

You can use alternatives like "obstacle to", "impediment to", or "hindrance to" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "barriers for" instead of "barrier to"?

While "barriers for" might sound similar, ""barrier to"" is the correct and more widely accepted prepositional phrase for indicating an obstacle.

What is the difference between "barrier to" and "challenge for"?

"Barrier to" implies something that prevents progress, while "challenge for" suggests a difficult task or problem that needs to be overcome. They are not always interchangeable.