blocking point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "blocking point" is a commonly used and correct phrase in written English.
Generally speaking, it is used as a metaphor to refer to something (often a problem or barrier) that prevents or stalls progress or development. For example: "Finding agreement on the budget was the main blocking point in negotiations over the new trade deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Smashing overheads, blocking point-blank volleys and dashing from side to side at net, Black was a dominant figure in the match, even in defeat.

The New York Times

In addition, regular inspection and maintenance could limit the negative effects of blocked point locations that can be dammed by beavers.

Forest Ecology and Management

In the first half, Hosseinion also had two sacks and a blocked point-after kick.

Los Angeles Times

Nass, one of the experts whose site has been blocked, points out the real shame in all of this: "It's unfortunate that the service members who are defending our civil rights are not afforded the same consideration".

Huffington Post

This process is referred as blocking of point sets to the geocellular grid.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

"There are guys who are fast who get to the block point, and they're afraid to block the kicks.

The New York Times - Sports

Blocks, point estimates; lines, 95% confidence intervals.

Progress in Orthodontics

It consists of four major blocks: point forecasting, pre-filtering, quantile regression modeling and post-processing.

International Journal of Forecasting

Moreover, the EC study of a cross-country or regional block point of view remains an under-study area of research (Šebjan et al. 2016).

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

In contrast to the channel-blocking point mutations, blocking hemichannels with CBX did not inhibit cell spreading (Fig. 3A).

Biology Open

The fact that participants more often than non-participants stated enrolment in the (non-obligatory) educational modules in earlier blocks point in the same direction.

Clinical Rheumatology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "blocking point", clarify what specific progress or activity is being hindered. This provides context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "blocking point" without specifying what it's blocking. For example, instead of saying "Funding was a blocking point", specify "Funding was a blocking point in the project's development."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "blocking point" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a specific issue, factor, or stage that is impeding progress or causing a standstill. Given the Ludwig AI response, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "blocking point" is a grammatically sound noun phrase that denotes an obstacle or impediment hindering progress, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. While no usage examples were available, the phrase is understood to be neutral in tone, suitable for various professional and general contexts. Its primary function is to identify and emphasize a specific hurdle requiring attention to facilitate advancement. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify the type of progress being impeded to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sticking point

Highlights an issue that causes disagreement or prevents resolution, a more specific type of blocking.

point of impasse

Emphasizes the state of deadlock or inability to proceed, similar to the effect of a "blocking point".

roadblock

Suggests an obstruction that prevents forward movement, similar to "blocking point" but more forceful.

impediment

Focuses on the sense of hindrance or obstruction, differing from "blocking point" which can also refer to a critical stage.

bottleneck

Specifically refers to a point of congestion that slows down a process, whereas "blocking point" has a broader application.

obstacle

Emphasizes a barrier that needs to be overcome, while "blocking point" may simply stall progress.

hold-up

Suggests a delay or obstruction, differing in its informal tone from "blocking point".

critical juncture

Indicates a crucial moment where progress is stalled, shifting the focus from obstruction to importance.

hitch

Implies a temporary problem or difficulty, differing in its suggestion of ease of solving the problem.

setback

Indicates a reverse in progress, a consequence of encountering a "blocking point".

FAQs

How can "blocking point" be used in a sentence?

Use "blocking point" to describe something that is preventing progress or causing a delay. For instance, "The main "blocking point" in negotiations was the disagreement over intellectual property rights."

What phrases are similar to "blocking point"?

Similar phrases include "sticking point", "obstacle", and "impediment", all of which suggest something hindering progress.

Is "blocking point" a formal or informal term?

"Blocking point" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the specific situation. In general, it is considered neutral in tone.

What is the difference between "blocking point" and "bottleneck"?

"Blocking point" is a more general term for something that hinders progress, while "bottleneck" specifically refers to a point of congestion or restriction in a process that slows down overall throughput.