despite the obstruction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "despite the obstruction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something occurs or is true regardless of an obstacle or hindrance. Example: "Despite the obstruction, the team managed to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The ball followed him over the line, and despite the obstruction on the goalkeeper, the referee awarded Loughborough a goal.

Wikipedia

It was necessary to snare leads from the femoral venous approach in two cases following unsuccessful laser extraction when the lead fragmented despite the obstruction being crossed.

Europace

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The culture of campus misogyny combines with a toxic world of online comment when Karen is raped by a football star, Smith, and refuses to back down despite the obstructions of the police, the timid university authorities and a swell of public opinion arguing that his budding football career is of primary importance.

The Guardian

Perhaps Wall Street's lobbyists can be resisted, sufficient to produce real reform, parallel to the sausage-making process that looks likely to yield real reform in healthcare, despite the obstructions of health-industry lobbyists.

Huffington Post

The most distal portion of the obstruction must be resected completely despite the difficulty in exposing the distal part of the LV cavity [ 10].

European Journal of Cardio-thoracic Surgery

As to the criticism of a broken State, Belgium, despite its religious, linguistic and political differences, works better than the obstruction of the U.S. democracy.

Huffington Post

Then Bush pardons Libby, completing the obstruction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Here is the obstruction call first.

The Guardian - Sport

Ruff argued against the obstruction charge.

The New Yorker

But the obstruction went event further.

Huffington Post

Does the obstruction of justice offend you?

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "despite the obstruction", ensure that the sentence clearly states both the action and the obstruction, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "despite the obstruction" when the obstruction is actually the cause of the outcome. Ensure that the obstruction is genuinely something overcome, not a contributing factor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "despite the obstruction" functions as an adverbial prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate that something occurs regardless of an obstacle. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "despite the obstruction" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to emphasize that something occurs regardless of an obstacle. According to Ludwig, it's correct and usable in English. While relatively rare, the phrase appears in news, scientific and wiki contexts, making it suitable for various registers. Similar phrases include "in spite of the impediment" and "regardless of the obstacle". When using the phrase, ensure the obstruction is genuinely overcome and not a cause. Therefore, this expression allows you to clearly emphasize the persistence of an action even in the face of an obstacle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regardless of the obstacle

Interchanges "despite" with "regardless of" and uses "obstacle" as a direct synonym for "obstruction".

in spite of the impediment

Replaces "obstruction" with a synonym, "impediment", maintaining the core meaning of something hindering progress.

barrier notwithstanding

A succinct restatement, directly acknowledging the “barrier” without letting it impede the action.

the obstacle notwithstanding

A succinct restatement, directly acknowledging the “obstacle” without letting it impede the action.

hindrance notwithstanding

A succinct restatement, directly acknowledging the “hindrance” without letting it impede the action.

notwithstanding the barrier

Uses "notwithstanding" as a formal alternative to "despite", and "barrier" for "obstruction", adding a slightly more emphatic tone.

even with the hindrance

Emphasizes the presence of a "hindrance" that does not prevent the outcome.

the hindrance notwithstanding

Positions the "hindrance" as something acknowledged but not impactful on the result.

even in the face of the impediment

Highlights confronting an "impediment", suggesting a more active resistance to the obstruction.

with the barrier still in place

Focuses on the continued existence of the "barrier", making the achievement more notable.

FAQs

What does "despite the obstruction" mean?

The phrase "despite the obstruction" means that something happens or is true even though there is something blocking or hindering it.

How can I use "despite the obstruction" in a sentence?

You can use "despite the obstruction" to show that an action or result occurred even when faced with an obstacle. For example: "Despite the obstruction, the team managed to complete the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "despite the obstruction"?

Alternatives include "in spite of the impediment", "regardless of the obstacle", or "even with the hindrance", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "despite the obstruction" or "in spite of the obstruction"?

Both "despite the obstruction" and "in spite of the obstruction" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or stylistic considerations.