encounter an obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter an obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an obstacle or difficulty that someone has encountered or is likely to encounter. For example, "Faced with the daunting task of writing her thesis, she encountered many obstacles that tested her perseverance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"I took a deep breath, and I silently told myself, 'Congratulations.' Because, as a Buddhist, that's what we say when we encounter an obstacle".

The New Yorker

"When you try to do something, it may happen, but once you encounter an obstacle or two, you're going to stop," said Roth, who is also the Rodney H. Adams Professor of Engineering.

Stanford University

And while retractable-edge doors can be adjusted to respond to varying degrees of pressure, if they are working correctly they will indeed reverse direction when they encounter an obstacle, such as an individual standing in the doorway.

The New York Times

Told that the latter request might be improbably ambitious, Foucan smiles tightly and says, "The parkour philosophy is that if you really want to do something but encounter an obstacle, you work hard to find a way around it".

The New York Times - Magazine

Later, Mr. Bloomberg was introduced to Daddy Warbucks, the fictional plutocrat from "Annie," who offered some tycoon wisdom: "Whenever I encounter an obstacle of some kind, I spend an enormous sum of my personal fortune, and I usually get my way".

The New York Times

Then, agents in the system and the new one may encounter an obstacle in estimating trust on corresponding partners.

Vietnam Journal of Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Some navigate somewhat spontaneously – when these encounter an obstacles, they simply grow around it – and others have predetermined shapes or pulley systems that direct them.

Stanford University

The animals that deliver them have encountered an obstacle.

The New York Times

Their careers, however, have already encountered an obstacle.

The New York Times - Sports

Eolian sound, also spelled Aeolian, sound produced by wind when it encounters an obstacle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When a streetcar encounters an obstacle — human or otherwise — it can't just go around it.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "encounter an obstacle" to describe situations where someone faces an unexpected difficulty that hinders progress. Be specific about the nature of the obstacle to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "encounter an obstacle" repeatedly in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "face a challenge" or "meet with a difficulty" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter an obstacle" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the experience of facing a challenge or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "encounter an obstacle" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe facing a challenge or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various domains, including news, academia, and science. While relatively common, overuse should be avoided by employing synonyms to maintain writing quality. The analysis reveals that it's most frequently used in news and academic contexts, highlighting its applicability in formal communication. Understanding its function and purpose can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face a hurdle

Replaces "encounter" with "face" and "obstacle" with "hurdle", suggesting a challenge to overcome.

meet with a difficulty

Uses "meet with" to replace "encounter" and "difficulty" to replace "obstacle", indicating a problematic situation.

come up against a barrier

Employs "come up against" instead of "encounter" and "barrier" instead of "obstacle", implying an obstruction.

run into a problem

Substitutes "encounter" with "run into" and "obstacle" with "problem", suggesting an unexpected issue.

experience an impediment

Replaces "encounter" with "experience" and "obstacle" with "impediment", indicating a hindrance.

be confronted with an issue

Uses "be confronted with" instead of "encounter" and "issue" instead of "obstacle", suggesting a challenge that needs to be addressed.

grapple with an adversity

Substitutes "encounter" with "grapple with" and "obstacle" with "adversity", highlighting the struggle against a difficulty.

contend with a setback

Replaces "encounter" with "contend with" and "obstacle" with "setback", implying a delay or reversal in progress.

navigate a challenge

Uses "navigate" to imply managing or overcoming a "challenge" rather than passively encountering an "obstacle".

face a stumbling block

Replaces "obstacle" with a more descriptive term, "stumbling block," emphasizing the potential for halting progress.

FAQs

How can I use "encounter an obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "encounter an obstacle" to describe facing a difficulty. For example, "During the project, we "encounter an obstacle" that required a creative solution."

What can I say instead of "encounter an obstacle"?

You can use alternatives like "face a hurdle", "meet with a difficulty", or "run into a problem" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "encounter an obstacle" or "face an obstacle"?

Both "encounter an obstacle" and "face an obstacle" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Face an obstacle" might be more direct, while "encounter an obstacle" can imply the obstacle was unexpected.

What's the difference between "encounter an obstacle" and "overcome an obstacle"?

"Encounter an obstacle" means to come across a difficulty. "Overcome an obstacle" means to successfully deal with and move past the difficulty.