blocker

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blocker" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts such as project management or software development to refer to an obstacle or issue that prevents progress. Example: "We encountered a blocker that halted our progress on the project until it was resolved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Like any other country, Australia can choose to be a blocker in international climate change negotiations at UN meetings in Peru later this year, where a new global deal to cut emissions will start to take shape.

The Guardian

The Kohl camp paints him as the blocker of economic renewal.

The Economist

Ted Abel, a biologist at the University of Pennsylvania, suggests that one of the reasons why blocker CREB evolved is that it is disadvantageous, in evolutionary terms, for memories to be too robust.Gone but not forgottenUnlearning or in technical terms, "extinguishing"—a memory can sometimes be even harder than learning it in the first place.

The Economist

An alternative approach, says Monell's Dr Beauchamp, would be to focus on specific genes in animals and alter them to track the pathways that the brain uses in integrating signals from the receptors.At present, finding the right enhancer or blocker for a given receptor means looking at thousands of compounds, a task better suited to automated testing than the caprices of the human tongue.

The Economist

To do this, the source disk is copied to a target disk using a tool known as a "write blocker" which only permits a one-way flow of information.

The Economist

It also means that the anti-cramming mechanism is not merely a deficiency in the way that brains are put together, but seems to be a deliberate feature, as the evolutionary explanation predicts.As expected, when the amount of blocker CREB is increased, it has the same sort of effect as knocking out activator CREB inducing forgetfulness of the kind seen in Dr Kogan's mice.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mr Charusanti's model, which closely matches the behaviour of the drug in laboratory mice, shows that cells in blast crisis expel the drug too quickly for it to be useful as an ATP-blocker.

The Economist

While they excel at preventive measures, the not-for-profits also provide better care for the seriously ill: in not-for-profit plans, 70.6% of heart-attack patients needing beta-blocker drugs received them, compared with 59.2% in investor-owned plans.In this section Death, where is thy sting?

The Economist

Ad-blocking visitors to the website of the Guardian, a British daily, for example, are greeted with the message: "We notice that you've got an ad-blocker switched on.

The Economist

Rates of screening for cervical cancer at HMOs range from 25% to 100%, rates of screening for breast cancer from 30% to 90%, rates of beta-blocker prescription after a heart attack from 15% to 100%, and so on.

The Economist

Of course there is some sense in sending experienced and useful people to the House of Lords while it remains an unelected House, but the carrot of a knighthood or peerage is also a time-worn way to reward or buy loyalty or to move on an ageing bed-blocker.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blocker" in technical contexts, clearly define what it is blocking to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "call blocker" or "ad blocker".

Common error

Avoid using "blocker" as a generic term for any obstacle. Use more specific vocabulary like "challenge" or "issue" when "blocker" doesn't precisely convey the nature of the impediment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "blocker" is as a noun, typically referring to something that obstructs or prevents progress. It can also function as an agent noun, denoting someone or something that performs the act of blocking. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Unknown

12%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blocker" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that describes something that obstructs or prevents progress. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Scientific literature. While its register is typically neutral, more formal alternatives like "obstacle" or "impediment" may be preferred in specific contexts. When using "blocker", ensuring clarity about what is being blocked enhances effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obstacle

Highlights something that stands in the way of achieving a goal.

hindrance

Emphasizes the act of holding back or obstructing progress.

barrier

Suggests a physical or metaphorical obstruction.

impediment

Focuses on something that delays or prevents progress.

deterrent

Highlights something that discourages or prevents action.

inhibition

Focuses on the psychological or physiological act of suppressing something.

suppressant

Highlights an agent that actively stops or reduces something.

restraint

Focuses on something that limits or controls action.

check

Implies a sudden stop or pause in progress.

curtailment

Denotes a reduction or limitation.

FAQs

How can "blocker" be used in a sentence?

The term "blocker" can refer to something that obstructs or prevents progress. For example: "Lack of funding became a major blocker for the project" or "A software bug acted as a blocker, preventing the application from running correctly".

What are some alternatives to using "blocker" in writing?

Depending on the context, you can use "obstacle", "impediment", "hindrance", or "barrier". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "blocker" formal or informal?

The term "blocker" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal writing might benefit from alternatives like "impediment" or "obstacle" depending on the specific context.

What does "blocker" mean in software development?

In software development, a "blocker" is an issue or bug that prevents further progress on a task or project. It must be resolved before work can continue. It is a common term in Agile methodologies.