clear a barrier

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear a barrier" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is overcoming an obstacle or difficulty, whether physical or metaphorical. Example: "The team worked hard to clear a barrier that was preventing them from reaching their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The Hudson to the west is as clear a barrier as one could find, and Fort Tryon Park — home to the Cloisters — caps off the northern edge.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She told them that their task was to crawl on their hands and knees as fast as they could to the far end of the lab and back, clearing a barrier in each direction.

University of California, Berkeley

The man, whose name was not released, got a running start and cleared a barrier on the observation deck, on the 86th floor, about 6 15 p.m., the police said.

The New York Times

Their effect on the hydrological cycle is clear; as a barrier in the soil atmosphere continuum they minimise rainfall infiltration and evaporation.

Ecological Engineering

For it is clear that a barrier of silt was formed and after it lakes and dry land, but in course of time the water that was left behind in the lakes dried up and is now all gone.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As they clear apart a barrier that divided Iraq and Syria, Islamic State fighters declare an end of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, a nearly 100-year-old pact between France and Britain that divided up the Middle East.

Vice

Whilst we found several studies investigating ethnic differences in prevalence of asthma and medication use, no clear association between a barrier, explanation and management behaviour was identified.

BMC Public Health

There has been much speculation that the dissolution of the cabinet was a formality designed to free the real head of the government, Field Marshal Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, from his responsibilities as defence minister, thus clearing a constitutional barrier to his widely predicted presidential bid.

The Guardian - Opinion

When it gained approval to operate as a financial services firm two years ago, it cleared a high barrier to entry, says Stan Miroshnik, CEO of the Element, an investment bank for cryptocurrency token sales.

Forbes

In a hurdle model, the data is considered as being generated by a process that generates positive counts only after clearing a zero barrier, or hurdle.

BMC Infectious Diseases

On a 48 to 49 vote, the bill which would have instead set up a federal, voluntary GMO labeling system fell well short of the 60 votes needed to clear a key procedural barrier.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear a barrier", ensure the context provides clarity on what the barrier is, whether it's a physical obstacle, a conceptual challenge, or a systemic problem. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "clear a barrier" when the action only partially addresses the obstacle. This phrase suggests complete removal or resolution, so ensure the action genuinely achieves this, otherwise, consider using verbs like "mitigate" or "address" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear a barrier" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of removing or overcoming an obstacle. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct. The examples provided show its application in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear a barrier" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe the act of removing an obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears in various contexts, including news, science, and academic writing, with a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure the nature of the barrier and the completeness of its removal are clearly defined. Alternatives like "overcome an obstacle" or "remove an impediment" can provide similar meaning with potentially different nuances. This expression effectively conveys progress and achievement by eliminating hindrances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overcome an obstacle

Focuses on the act of successfully dealing with something that blocks progress.

remove an impediment

Emphasizes the removal of something that hinders advancement.

surmount a hurdle

Implies successfully getting over a challenge.

break through a blockade

Suggests forcefully overcoming a physical or metaphorical obstruction.

eliminate a restriction

Highlights the removal of a limiting factor.

bypass an obstacle

Focuses on avoiding the obstacle rather than directly confronting it.

get past a challenge

Indicates successfully moving beyond a difficult situation.

resolve a difficulty

Implies finding a solution to a problem.

address a setback

Highlights dealing with a negative event or delay.

leap over an obstacle

Emphasizes a quick and decisive action to overcome an issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear a barrier" to describe overcoming obstacles, such as in "The new policy aims to clear a barrier to small business growth" or "The athlete trained hard to clear the barrier in the hurdles race".

What is a good alternative to "clear a barrier"?

Alternatives to "clear a barrier" include "overcome an obstacle", "remove an impediment", or "surmount a hurdle", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "clear a barrier" or "overcome a barrier"?

Both "clear a barrier" and "overcome a barrier" are acceptable, but "clear a barrier" often implies a more definitive removal of the obstacle, while "overcome a barrier" suggests successfully dealing with it, even if it still exists in some form.

What does it mean to "clear a barrier" in a business context?

In a business context, to "clear a barrier" often refers to removing obstacles that hinder progress, such as regulatory hurdles, financial constraints, or internal inefficiencies. The goal is to create a smoother path toward achieving business objectives.