encounter a hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter a hurdle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or obstacles faced in various situations, such as projects, tasks, or personal experiences. Example: "During the project, we encountered a hurdle that delayed our progress significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Baucus and Mr. Camp encountered a hurdle of a different sort: self-interest.

The New York Times

And here we encounter a further hurdle: to many teachers in Germany, the use of the home language in English classes is taboo or limited to administrative tasks.

The Guardian

Any new performance measure set, including the current cancer core measure sets, frequently encounter a major hurdle, i.e. data resources.

BMC Health Services Research

Microsoft's hostile takeover attempt against Yahoo may encounter an unexpected hurdle in August after a Chinese antimonopoly law takes effect that will extend the nation's economic influence far beyond its borders.

The New York Times

SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft's hostile-takeover attempt against Yahoo may encounter an unexpected hurdle in August after a Chinese antimonopoly law takes effect that will extend the nation's economic influence far beyond its borders.

The New York Times - Tech

The New Zealand native encountered a major hurdle early in his collegiate playing days before landing at D.C. United in Major League Soccer and subsequently progressing to England's Premier League.

The New York Times

Traditional Li-ion batteries are encountering a technical hurdle in further increasing their energy density.

Electrochimica Acta

So when scientists wanted to measure the physiological effects of fire-walking to see if there were biological underpinnings of communal rituals, they encountered a few hurdles.

The New York Times - Science

Ryan and his wife, who live in Bloomfield, N.J., drove to the charming colonial restaurant specified on the invitation and encountered an unexpected hurdle: a row of some 20 seating cards.

The New York Times - Style

This project encountered an unexpected hurdle.

Los Angeles Times

As more schools consider arming their employees, some districts are encountering a daunting economic hurdle: insurance carriers threatening to raise their premiums or revoke coverage entirely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "encounter a hurdle", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the obstacle and its impact on the situation. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

While "encounter a hurdle" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal writing. Vary your language by using alternatives like "face an obstacle" or "meet a challenge" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter a hurdle" functions as a verb phrase, where "encounter" is the verb and "a hurdle" is the direct object. It describes the action of facing or experiencing an obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its general correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encounter a hurdle" is a versatile expression used to describe facing an obstacle or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used, as demonstrated by the numerous examples from reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It functions grammatically as a verb phrase, with "encounter" acting as the verb and "a hurdle" as its object. While suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing, it’s wise to consider alternatives like "face an obstacle" or "meet a challenge" in highly formal writing to enhance stylistic variation. Its prevalence highlights its effectiveness in conveying challenges encountered in different scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Face an obstacle

Replaces "encounter" with "face", focusing on the act of confronting the obstacle.

Meet an obstacle

Similar to "face an obstacle", but emphasizes the moment of coming into contact with the obstacle.

Run into a problem

Uses "problem" instead of "hurdle", suggesting a broader range of difficulties.

Come up against a barrier

Emphasizes the restrictive nature of the obstacle, using "barrier".

Experience a setback

Focuses on the negative impact of the obstacle on progress.

Confront a challenge

Highlights the demanding nature of the situation, using "challenge".

Stumble upon a difficulty

Suggests an unexpected encounter with a problem.

Deal with an impediment

Highlights the act of managing or overcoming the obstacle, referring to it as "impediment".

Navigate an obstacle

Emphasizes the need for careful maneuvering to overcome the problem.

Overcome a difficulty

Focuses on successfully surpassing a challenge.

FAQs

What does "encounter a hurdle" mean?

The phrase "encounter a hurdle" means to face or experience an obstacle or difficulty. It suggests that something is impeding progress or creating a challenge.

How can I use "encounter a hurdle" in a sentence?

You can use "encounter a hurdle" to describe a situation where someone faces a challenge. For example, "The project "encountered a hurdle" when funding was delayed."

What can I say instead of "encounter a hurdle"?

You can use alternatives like "face an obstacle", "meet an obstacle", or "run into a problem" to convey a similar meaning. Each option has a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits the specific context.

Is "encounter a hurdle" formal or informal?

"Encounter a hurdle" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "face an obstacle" or "confront a challenge" for a more sophisticated tone.