confronting obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "confronting obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or difficulties that someone is facing or dealing with in various contexts, such as personal growth, business, or problem-solving. Example: "In her journey to success, she has been confronting obstacles that have tested her resilience and determination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

By contrast, a person with high motivation will, upon confronting obstacles, setbacks, or even failure, reengage with greater vigor.

Harvard Business Review

Wilson still enjoys learning and confronting obstacles -- as he did during several storms, when mechanical and electrical failures forced him to make repairs while his boat rocked violently -- but he also enjoys the ocean's wildlife.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Breaking Barriers in Sports, in Life program, which is in 26 major league cities including New York, teaches adolescents the principles of confronting obstacles and ultimately clearing them.

The New York Times - Sports

As rescue workers struggle to reach remote regions difficult to get to in even the best of circumstances, they are confronting obstacles like floods, debris and damaged roads and bridges.

The New York Times

For those who would rather spend their leisure time confronting obstacles rather than trying to evade them, Jonathan Blow's The Witness, a game set on an oppressively picturesque island sprinkled with some 600 puzzles, provides the ideal forum in which to test your intellect.

The Guardian - Tech

Confronting obstacles to agreement this way may illustrate the utility of issue-linkages, and demonstrate that there are coalitions willing to move forward.

Johns Hopkins University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

His investigation continues to confront obstacles even beyond the protected status of Colonia Dignidad.

The New York Times

Robots in the toughest level, the expert division, confronted obstacles like furniture, carpets and ramps.

The New York Times - Tech

Still, Metro confronted obstacles different from those it had encountered in other markets.

Harvard Business Review

Emphasizes how this research in progress relates to larger themes, and how researchers confront obstacles to inference in political science.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

After the towers fell, however, officials confronted obstacles that went beyond just the collapse of the command center.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "confronting obstacles" to convey a sense of proactive engagement with challenges. It implies a deliberate and direct approach to dealing with difficulties rather than passively avoiding them.

Common error

Avoid using "confronting obstacles" merely as a descriptive statement. Instead, ensure it reflects active engagement or a plan to address the obstacles. For instance, instead of simply saying "the project is confronting obstacles", clarify how the team is actively working to overcome them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "confronting obstacles" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As noted by Ludwig, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English, denoting a proactive approach to challenges.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

32%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "confronting obstacles" is a grammatically correct and widely applicable phrase used to describe the act of actively addressing challenges. As Ludwig highlights, it conveys a proactive approach and is commonly found in news, academic, and business contexts. While alternatives like "tackling challenges" and "overcoming hurdles" exist, "confronting obstacles" emphasizes direct engagement with difficulties. To ensure effective use, focus on reflecting active engagement rather than passive observation. By considering these nuances, writers can leverage "confronting obstacles" to clearly and effectively convey the spirit of proactive problem-solving.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tackling challenges

Focuses more on actively addressing challenges rather than just facing them.

overcoming hurdles

Emphasizes successfully surpassing difficulties, suggesting a sense of achievement.

addressing difficulties

Highlights the act of directly dealing with problematic situations.

facing adversity

Emphasizes the challenging and potentially negative nature of the circumstances.

dealing with setbacks

Specifically refers to managing unexpected problems that delay progress.

navigating challenges

Suggests a process of carefully maneuvering through difficult situations.

meeting resistance

Highlights the opposition encountered while trying to achieve something.

handling difficulties

Focuses on the management and control of problematic situations.

grappling with issues

Suggests a more intense and prolonged struggle with complex problems.

contending with problems

Highlights the act of actively competing against or struggling with problems.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "confronting obstacles" in a sentence?

Use "confronting obstacles" to describe situations where someone is actively facing and addressing challenges. For example, "The team is dedicated to "confronting obstacles" to achieve its goals."

What are some alternatives to "confronting obstacles"?

You can use alternatives such as "tackling challenges", "overcoming hurdles", or "addressing difficulties" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "facing obstacles" or "confronting obstacles"?

"Confronting obstacles" implies a more active and direct approach to dealing with challenges, whereas "facing obstacles" can suggest a more passive acknowledgement of their presence. The best choice depends on the intended nuance.

In what contexts is "confronting obstacles" commonly used?

"Confronting obstacles" is frequently used in discussions about personal development, business strategy, problem-solving, and overcoming adversity. It is applicable in any situation where challenges need to be addressed head-on.