constitute a significant hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "constitute a significant hurdle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing obstacles or challenges that are substantial in nature. Example: "The lack of funding may constitute a significant hurdle in the project's development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

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Harvard Business Review

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Britannica

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Britannica

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TechCrunch

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Huffington Post

That would constitute a significant expansion of active government control over firearms.

Los Angeles Times

As for your neighbors, their dead trees constitute a significant public safety hazard.

Los Angeles Times

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HuffPost

Of these, five constitute a significant molecular cluster of infection.

Plosone

Of course, business school can also be a significant hurdle for passionate founders.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "constitute a significant hurdle", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is creating the obstacle. For example, "Lack of funding constitutes a significant hurdle to project completion" is clearer than "This constitutes a significant hurdle."

Common error

Avoid using "constitute a significant hurdle" for minor inconveniences. This phrase implies a substantial challenge, so reserve it for situations where the obstacle genuinely threatens progress or success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "constitute a significant hurdle" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing something that acts as a substantial obstacle. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes something that acts as a major impediment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "constitute a significant hurdle" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a considerable obstacle or challenge. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules. While not overly common, its formality and precision make it suitable for formal and scientific writing. Contextually, it is used to emphasize the difficulty posed by a specific barrier, particularly in academic, news, and business settings. Alternative phrases such as "pose a major challenge" or "present a formidable obstacle" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slight variations in tone. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in identifying the source of the hurdle and avoid exaggerating its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pose a major challenge

Changes the wording to emphasize the challenging aspect, using 'pose' and 'major' to convey the difficulty.

present a formidable obstacle

Replaces 'hurdle' with 'obstacle' and 'significant' with 'formidable' to highlight the difficulty.

represent a considerable impediment

Uses 'impediment' instead of 'hurdle' and 'considerable' instead of 'significant', altering the tone slightly.

create a substantial barrier

Substitutes 'hurdle' with 'barrier' and 'significant' with 'substantial', focusing on the obstructive nature.

form a noteworthy obstacle

Employs 'noteworthy' to replace 'significant', indicating that the obstacle is worth paying attention to.

act as a major stumbling block

Replaces the more formal 'hurdle' with 'stumbling block', giving a more informal feel.

prove to be a difficult challenge

Uses a more descriptive structure, emphasizing the difficulty aspect of the challenge.

establish a tough constraint

Shifts the focus to the restrictive aspect of the hurdle, using 'constraint'.

involve a serious limitation

Highlights the limiting factor imposed by the hurdle, using 'limitation'.

entail a considerable setback

Emphasizes the potential for delay or regression caused by the hurdle, using 'setback'.

FAQs

How can I use "constitute a significant hurdle" in a sentence?

Use "constitute a significant hurdle" to describe a substantial obstacle or challenge that hinders progress or makes something difficult to achieve. For example: "The complex regulatory environment /s/poses+a+major+challenge" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">poses a major challenge to new businesses.

What are some alternatives to saying "constitute a significant hurdle"?

You can use alternatives like "pose a major challenge", "present a formidable obstacle", or "represent a considerable impediment" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "constitute a significant hurdle" in formal writing?

Yes, "constitute a significant hurdle" is suitable for formal writing. However, consider the specific context and audience, and ensure that the level of formality aligns with the overall tone of your writing. Alternatives such as "create a substantial barrier" could also be considered.

What makes "constitute a significant hurdle" different from "pose a challenge"?

"Constitute a significant hurdle" implies a more substantial and impactful obstacle than simply "pose a challenge". The former suggests that the obstacle is more difficult to overcome, while the latter can refer to any difficulty, regardless of its magnitude. "Act as a major stumbling block" is even more drastic.