economic obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "economic obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a financial or economic barrier that hinders progress or development in a particular context. Example: "The company faced several economic obstacles that delayed its expansion plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The big economic obstacle is that the extended debt would initially have to be marked down, even if there were no actual haircuts to the debt's principal.

The New York Times

Settlers and settlements not only pose a geographic obstacle to the advent of a contiguous Palestinian second state; they pose a political and economic obstacle as well.

The New Yorker

The museum would like to expand its facilities, in order to showcase the rarely seen masterpieces (including paintings by Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet) in a permanent exhibition; however, museum reps cite international sanctions as an economic obstacle to arts and cultural funding.

Huffington Post

Alternatively, the lower adherence to MD among subjects from lower education and socioeconomic backgrounds may, in part, reflect an economic obstacle to the adoption of a Mediterranean dietary style [ 42].

European Journal of Nutrition

9 Indeed researchers in Spain showed that an MD is definitely more expensive to follow than Western dietary patterns: this may represent a strong economic obstacle when counselling people about the opportunity to follow a healthy diet because cost may become a prohibitive factor.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Advances in behavioral economics are driving efforts to use material or financial incentives to overcome economic obstacles or a lack of effective motivation, and recipients are incentivized to engage in health-related behaviors or practices with which they are already familiar and that they regard as beneficial or worthwhile.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

All of these ideas face economic obstacles.

The New York Times - Science

Yet the political, regulatory and economic obstacles are formidable.

The New York Times

College graduates who began their careers during the Great Recession faced several long-term economic obstacles.

The New York Times

Beyond that, legal and economic obstacles facing the Caspian pipeline make it a project for the medium to distant future.

The New York Times

There are still big social and economic obstacles to the movement of individuals across borders, so significant income-tax differentials are likely to persist.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic development or policy, use "economic obstacle" to precisely identify factors hindering progress. For example, "High tariffs are an "economic obstacle" to free trade."

Common error

Avoid using "economic obstacle" in casual conversation; opt for simpler terms like "financial problem" or "money issue" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "economic obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, where "economic" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "obstacle". It typically serves to identify a specific type of barrier or impediment related to economic activity or progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "economic obstacle" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for identifying barriers to economic progress, as validated by Ludwig. While its usage is currently rare, it finds its primary contexts in news, scientific, and business discussions. When writing, remember to reserve this formal phrase for professional settings and consider alternatives like "financial barrier" or "economic constraint" for nuanced meanings. Although relatively infrequent, it is authoritative when employed appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

financial impediment

Focuses more on the financial aspect of the obstacle.

economic barrier

Emphasizes the blocking nature of the economic difficulty.

economic impediment

A more formal way of saying "economic obstacle".

monetary hurdle

Uses "hurdle" to suggest an obstacle that can be overcome.

economic constraint

Highlights the limiting effect on economic activity.

economic hurdle

Similar to "monetary hurdle", implying a challenge to overcome.

fiscal challenge

Replaces "obstacle" with "challenge" suggesting difficulty but also opportunity.

economic setback

Implies a temporary halt or reversal in economic progress.

economic bottleneck

Suggests a point of congestion or blockage in the economic system.

economic difficulty

A broader term encompassing various economic problems.

FAQs

How can I use "economic obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "economic obstacle" to describe something that prevents or hinders economic progress. For example, "The country's high debt is a significant "economic obstacle" to growth".

What are some alternatives to "economic obstacle"?

Alternatives include "financial barrier", "economic barrier", "financial hurdle", or "economic constraint". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "economic obstacle" and "financial obstacle"?

"Economic obstacle" is a broader term referring to any barrier to economic progress, while "financial obstacle" specifically relates to monetary or funding issues.

Is "economic obstacle" a formal or informal phrase?

"Economic obstacle" is generally considered a formal phrase, suitable for academic, business, or news contexts. In more casual settings, simpler terms like "financial problem" may be more appropriate.