bottleneck

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'bottleneck' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun or verb to describe a situation in which progress of work or activities is held back or slowed due to a single obstacle or limitation, such as lack of resources or personnel. For example, "The organization was unable to scale up production due to a bottleneck in their supply chain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If you have a small number, presumably there's a bottleneck," says Robin Dunbar, professor of evolutionary psychology at Oxford.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Kaberuka also puts a premium on the importance of infrastructure, pointing out that no country has been able to maintain growth of 7% and above without solving the infrastructure bottleneck.

The Guardian

While their husbands were out labouring all day in the fields or the fishing boats, the women of Juchitán took charge of trade, bartering and haggling with every foreigner who passed through this fortuitous bottleneck between the two continents of America.

The Guardian - Travel

The Merchants of Doubt shows that while deep-rooted political ideologies usually underpin this bottleneck, disinformation tightens it, fueling scientifically unfounded debate, doubt, and denial that conveniently excuse political intransigence.

The Guardian - Opinion

As peer-reviewed analyses make clear, lack of political will - to establish a price on carbon and to end fossil fuel subsidies, for example - is now the bottleneck to tackling climate change.

The Guardian - Opinion

The main bottleneck, says nearly everyone interviewed for this report, is what Georgia's governor, echoing Britain's Tony Blair, calls "education, education, education".

The Economist

Initiatives are also under way to organise data-sharing platforms so that trucking firms can match up with customers to reduce the number of empty return journeys.E-commerce firms in particular are worried that a bottleneck in logistics could choke off their spectacular recent growth.

The Economist

Luanda, for instance, is now as much of a bottleneck as a gateway to Angola, as the world scrambles to pick up contracts from its burgeoning oil sector.

The Economist

Since then cash-strapped TCI, the biggest American cable-TV operator, has agreed to sell itself to AT&T, a long-distance telephone company, for $32 billion.In this section All at Siemens Ivan of all trades Overdosed Eastern promise Bertelsmann's Bismarck Hot market Broadband bottleneck Puffs of white Gauloise smoke ReprintsNot everybody, however, is greeting cable broadband with enthusiasm.

The Economist

SIR —Your article on global public health is absolutely right in identifying health system weaknesses as the main bottleneck to more efficient aid programmes.

The Economist

This bottleneck will be eased later this month, when a 4.5km (2.8-mile) dual-carriageway bypass with wider bridges will open.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex system, identify the specific "bottleneck" to pinpoint the most effective intervention point. For instance, instead of stating "the project is slow", specify "the approval process is the bottleneck".

Common error

Avoid using "bottleneck" as a general term for any problem. Instead, reserve it for situations where a specific, identifiable point is causing disproportionate delays or restrictions. Be specific about what part of a system is restricted.

Linguistic Context

The word "bottleneck" functions primarily as a noun, designating a point of constriction or obstruction that impedes progress or flow within a system. It can also function as a verb, meaning to slow down or impede. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "bottleneck" is a versatile term, primarily used as a noun to describe a point of obstruction or congestion that slows down a process or system. It can also function as a verb. According to Ludwig, the word is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. It is frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While synonyms like "constraint" or "impediment" exist, "bottleneck" specifically emphasizes a single, identifiable point of blockage. To avoid vagueness, be precise about which part of a system is restricted. "Bottleneck" is a common and useful term for identifying and addressing inefficiencies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bottleneck point

More explicit but redundant because point is implied in the definition of bottleneck itself.

chokepoint

Similar to "bottleneck", but often used in a more literal, physical sense.

constraint

Focuses on limitation rather than a specific point of blockage.

limitation

Emphasizes the restriction imposed on a process or system.

impediment

Refers to something that hinders or obstructs progress.

restriction

Similar to limitation, but can also refer to a rule or regulation.

hinderance

Focuses on the action of delaying or impeding.

obstruction

Highlights the act of blocking or hindering progress.

congestion

Suggests a state of overcrowding or blockage.

hold-up

Informal term for a delay or obstruction.

FAQs

How can I use "bottleneck" in a sentence?

You can use "bottleneck" to describe a point of congestion or delay in a process. For example, "The lack of skilled labor is a major bottleneck in the manufacturing industry".

What are some synonyms for "bottleneck"?

Alternatives to "bottleneck" include "constraint", "impediment", or "chokepoint", depending on the context.

Is "bottleneck" a formal word?

"Bottleneck" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the subject matter than the audience.

What is the difference between "bottleneck" and "obstacle"?

While both hinder progress, a "bottleneck" refers to a specific point causing congestion, whereas an "obstacle" is a more general term for anything that blocks the way.