difficult obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing challenges or barriers that are hard to overcome. Example: "The team faced many difficult obstacles during the project, but their determination led to success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

My faith asks me to transcend the most difficult obstacles".

The Guardian

Those are difficult obstacles for a candidate to overcome.

The New York Times - Sports

But in order to achieve that aim, they must overcome a series of increasingly difficult obstacles.

The Guardian - Film

But more progress needs to be made in removing the most difficult obstacles to unearthing and prosecuting these crimes.

The New York Times

We relish the chance to skate often imperfect and difficult obstacles, and to create new ways of interpreting them.

The Guardian

"They've demonstrated great academic success in the face of difficult obstacles and they're determined to create happy successful lives".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

The right-back is a difficult obstacle to get round.

The Guardian - Sport

The most difficult obstacle left in his path is now surely fatigue.

The Guardian - Sport

But the most difficult obstacle to surmount will be that of public opinion.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's an incredibly difficult obstacle for younger workers in their first job to overcome.

Harvard Business Review

When we said "The most difficult obstacle left his path seems is now surely fatigue", we should have said "The most difficult obstacle left in his path is now surely fatigue".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "difficult obstacles", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "formidable barriers" or "tough challenges" can add subtle shifts in meaning.

Common error

Be mindful of using "difficult obstacles" in contexts where the difficulty is already implied. For instance, saying "overcoming difficult obstacles" might be redundant, as overcoming already implies difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult obstacles" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "difficult" modifies the noun "obstacles". Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage in various contexts, indicating its acceptability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "difficult obstacles" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe significant challenges. Ludwig AI analysis reveals its frequent presence in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "challenging hurdles" or "formidable barriers" offer subtle variations, the core meaning remains consistent. It's important to avoid redundancy by ensuring the difficulty isn't already implied, and to select the most appropriate synonym based on the specific nuance desired. Ultimately, "difficult obstacles" serves as a versatile phrase to highlight the demanding nature of impediments to progress or success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging hurdles

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the obstacles, using "hurdles" as a metaphor for challenges to overcome.

tough challenges

Uses more common and direct language, highlighting the severity of the challenges.

formidable barriers

Focuses on the imposing and deterring aspect of the obstacles, suggesting they are hard to bypass.

significant impediments

Highlights the hindering effect of the obstacles, implying they cause considerable delay or obstruction.

arduous trials

Emphasizes the effort and endurance required to overcome the obstacles, suggesting a prolonged and taxing experience.

complex predicaments

Shifts the focus to the intricate and perplexing nature of the situations creating the obstacles.

major setbacks

Highlights the negative impact of the obstacles, emphasizing the delay or reversal of progress they cause.

considerable difficulties

Replaces "obstacles" with a more general term, "difficulties", while maintaining the sense of significance.

severe hardships

Focuses on the suffering and adversity caused by the obstacles, implying a difficult and painful experience.

insurmountable problems

Suggests the obstacles are so great they may be impossible to overcome, introducing a sense of hopelessness.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult obstacles" in a sentence?

You can use "difficult obstacles" to describe challenges that require significant effort and determination to overcome. For example, "The project team faced "difficult obstacles", but they persevered and achieved their goals".

What are some alternatives to "difficult obstacles"?

Alternatives include "challenging hurdles", "tough challenges", or "formidable barriers", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult obstacles" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "difficult obstacles" when you want to emphasize the demanding and challenging nature of the barriers someone or something faces. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "difficult obstacles" and "insurmountable problems"?

"Difficult obstacles" implies challenges that can be overcome with effort, while "insurmountable problems" suggests challenges that are impossible to overcome. The choice depends on whether the challenges are perceived as solvable or not.