certain hurdles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain hurdles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to specific challenges or obstacles that need to be overcome in a given context. Example: "The project faced certain hurdles that delayed its completion, but the team worked diligently to address them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Yet many of these countries along with most democracies have explicit provisions of immunity written into their constitutions: certain hurdles have to be cleared before elected politicians can be removed from office and charged with crimes.

The Economist

Thirty percent of the payout will be delivered in the form of performance share units that can only be cashed in if Citigroup hits certain hurdles on both return on assets and total shareholder returns.

The New York Times

Some polls show that the majority of Americans agree with proposals backed by most Democrats in the Senate, as well as some Republicans, to establish a path to citizenship for immigrants here illegally, provided they clear certain hurdles.

The New York Times

Of course, turnover targets were still important because as certain hurdles in the business plan would have been met, so the percentage of my management team's ownership in the business would have increased.

The Guardian - Business

For more than three decades, the Supreme Court has said yes — that the Constitution allows academic programs to consider race as one factor in admissions, provided the program meets certain hurdles: it must serve a compelling state interest and be as limited as possible.

The New York Times

Still, there are certain hurdles, both for founders and VCs, to growing a health tech startup, the participants on TechCrunch Disrupt's health tech panel agreed.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Capella, for example, charges 1.5% a year in expenses and 20% of profits above a certain hurdle rate.

Forbes

To wear a big watch, though, certain logistical hurdles have to be cleared.

The New York Times - Style

All it asked was that top executives receive options only if their companies clear certain performance hurdles -- and that when executives exercise options, they hold most of the shares for some substantial period.

The New York Times

It also said the payments are subject to it achieving certain performance hurdles in its U.S. network services business, which it expects to do.

Forbes

Certain technical hurdles must be overcome before clinical therapies using pluripotent stem cells can become a reality.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain hurdles" to refer to obstacles that are not just any difficulty, but rather a defined and significant set of challenges within a specific context. This adds a level of specificity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "certain hurdles" when the challenges are not well-defined or understood. Ensure there's a clear understanding of what these "hurdles" actually entail to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain hurdles" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or following a preposition. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It refers to specific challenges or obstacles that must be overcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "certain hurdles" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to denote specific, well-defined obstacles that must be overcome to achieve a goal. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for use in formal and informal writing. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and business contexts, it conveys a sense of identified and significant challenges. While interchangeable with phrases like "specific challenges" or "particular obstacles", "certain hurdles" offers a nuanced way to emphasize the defined and consequential nature of the difficulties at hand. The user should ensure that the hurdles are indeed well-defined to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific challenges

Replaces "hurdles" with a more general term, focusing on the difficulty aspect.

particular obstacles

Similar to "specific challenges", but emphasizes the hindering nature of the difficulties.

defined criteria

Shifts the focus to the standards or requirements that must be satisfied.

established benchmarks

Similar to "defined criteria" but with a stronger emphasis on measurable performance.

predetermined conditions

Emphasizes that the obstacles were set in advance.

requisite qualifications

Focuses on the necessary skills or characteristics for achieving something.

necessary requirements

Highlights that these hurdles aren't optional but are essential.

certain prerequisites

Like "necessary requirements", this implies that the hurdles are foundational.

designated limitations

Emphasizes the restrictive nature of the challenges.

imposed restrictions

Highlights that the challenges are forced upon the subject, emphasizing external influence.

FAQs

How can I use "certain hurdles" in a sentence?

You can use "certain hurdles" to describe specific obstacles that need to be overcome in order to achieve a goal. For example, "The company faced "certain hurdles" before launching the new product."

What are some alternatives to "certain hurdles"?

Some alternatives to "certain hurdles" include "specific challenges", "particular obstacles", or "defined criteria". The best choice depends on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "certain hurdles" formal or informal?

"Certain hurdles" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it's more commonly found in professional or news-related writing than in casual conversation.

What's the difference between "certain hurdles" and "challenges"?

"Certain hurdles" implies a known and defined set of obstacles, whereas "challenges" is a more general term for difficulties. Using "certain hurdles" suggests a degree of specificity about the nature of the problems.