come up against barriers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come up against barriers" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone encounters obstacles or challenges in achieving a goal. Example: "During the project, we came up against barriers that hindered our progress, such as budget constraints and lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "The government is determined that no-one with the ambition and ability, whatever their background, should come up against barriers to accessing higher education".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"It is clear," he has said, "from both my family's experience and the commission's research that disabled people still come up against inexcusable barriers to participation in society".

The Guardian

However, at this time of year some of my students come up against a barrier which can prevent them from completing their work.

The Guardian

And if the F.B.I. disables that feature, allowing it to enter every possible passcode until it hits the right one, it may still come up against another barrier: a built-in delay between wrong entries, so that typing in five thousand possibilities, for example, might take thousands of hours.

The New Yorker

"But we in our institution — and I know we weren't alone — were coming up against barriers to get the resources to do it.

The New York Times - Magazine

The upcoming poll on 8 November has been been touted as the freest and fairest in decades but, with religion an increasingly sensitive issue in Myanmar, many Muslims – from ordinary voters to experienced politicians – are coming up against barriers to participation.

The Guardian

I know a fashion editor at a huge title who speaks often about wanting to change the landscape but constantly coming up against barriers from advertisers who want to know how their clothes are being worn and by whom.

Vice

BJ: What's the single biggest barrier aspiring writers come up against in writing their books?

Huffington Post

And what barriers do people still come up against when trying to connect?

The Guardian

For significant numbers of poor children and families, programs like Medicaid, food stamps and the EITC are vital, but they are not sufficient by themselves to overcome the serious multiple barriers these individuals and families can come up against. .

Huffington Post

I come up against that all the time.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come up against barriers" when you want to emphasize the unexpected or unavoidable nature of encountering difficulties in a process or endeavor. For example: "Despite careful planning, the project came up against barriers related to unforeseen regulatory changes."

Common error

Avoid using "come up against barriers" for minor inconveniences or easily resolved issues. This phrase is best reserved for significant obstacles that genuinely impede progress or require substantial effort to overcome. For example, don't say, "I came up against barriers when I couldn't find my keys;" instead, use it for situations like, "The company came up against barriers in its expansion plans due to unexpected economic downturns."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come up against barriers" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of encountering obstacles or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing situations where progress is impeded.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come up against barriers" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to express encountering obstacles or difficulties, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile, fitting into various contexts from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. When writing, reserve "come up against barriers" for situations involving significant impediments. Alternatives include "encounter obstacles" or "face challenges". Keep in mind the frequency with which this expression is encountered; it's common but impactful when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encounter obstacles

Focuses on the act of meeting obstacles directly.

Face challenges

Emphasizes the act of confronting difficulties.

Meet with difficulties

Highlights the experience of running into problems.

Confront impediments

Uses a more formal tone to describe facing obstructions.

Run into roadblocks

Employs a metaphor to illustrate encountering obstacles that halt progress.

Experience setbacks

Shifts the focus to the negative consequences of encountering barriers.

Find oneself obstructed

Describes the state of being blocked or hindered.

Be faced with hurdles

Uses a metaphor to suggest overcoming challenges as in a race.

Navigate obstacles

Highlights the process of moving around or through barriers.

Grapple with hindrances

Implies a struggle in dealing with obstructions.

FAQs

How can I use "come up against barriers" in a sentence?

You can use "come up against barriers" to describe situations where someone encounters significant obstacles or challenges. For example, "During the negotiations, we "came up against barriers" related to differing cultural values."

What are some alternatives to "come up against barriers"?

Alternatives include "encounter obstacles", "face challenges", or "meet with difficulties", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "come up against barriers"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight that someone or something faces significant impediments that hinder progress or achievement. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences.

Is "come up against barriers" a formal or informal expression?

It's generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, you might consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "confront impediments".