encounter hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter hurdle" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing facing challenges or obstacles in various contexts, such as personal experiences or professional situations. Example: "During the project, we encountered a hurdle that delayed our progress significantly."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After being pushed out of residencies by high-brow investors and a housing market that's still recovering from last decade's subprime-mortgage-instilled housing crisis, homeowners encounter hurdle after systematic hurdle in the path to getting back their homes.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And it must be odd, 18 months after an Oscar win, to still encounter hurdles.

The Guardian - Film

While women today, at least in Western society, don't face ordeals of the kind she grappled with, they still encounter hurdles in the struggle for gender equality.

Huffington Post

Despite this, the majority of surgical and gynecological departments encounter hurdles when implementing this form of training.

BMC Medical Education

Despite the well-established advantages of VR simulators, the majority of surgical and gynecological departments encounter hurdles implementing this form of training in surgical education [ 5].

BMC Medical Education

Anything worth doing or achieving is going to encounter hurdles and difficulties.

WikiHow

Claiming that it is too late for something is the most frequently encountered hurdle of all.

Huffington Post

Elsewhere, people with tickets for the swearing-in also encountered hurdles, particularly those who had purple tickets to watch the ceremony on a lawn below the Capitol.

The New York Times

More emails show AWB executives discussing how to route the payments through third parties and encountering hurdles because of international bank rules curbing money laundering.

The Guardian

I used to be on the government watch list, several airlines employees told me along the way, as I encountered hurdles to checking in and boarding.

The Guardian - Opinion

WebMD and a competing alliance of insurance companies called MedUnite have encountered hurdles in their attempts to streamline the health care industry by linking various participants on the Net.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and direct alternatives like "face an obstacle" or "encounter a challenge" for clarity and better flow.

Common error

Avoid using "encounter hurdle" excessively in formal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound slightly awkward. Opt for stronger, more common alternatives like "face an obstacle" or "experience a setback" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter hurdle" functions as a verb phrase, where "encounter" acts as the verb and "hurdle" as its object. It signifies the action of experiencing or facing a difficulty or obstacle. Ludwig shows that this usage exists, though is not the most frequent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encounter hurdle" describes facing an obstacle or difficulty. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig indicates it is not the most common or elegant phrasing. More direct alternatives like "face an obstacle" are generally preferred. The phrase is found in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. While Ludwig's AI recognizes the validity of this expression, writers should consider more common alternatives for improved clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

face an obstacle

This alternative is more direct and commonly used.

meet an obstacle

This alternative is nearly synonymous, differing only in the verb choice.

run into a problem

This alternative focuses on the negative aspect of a problem arising.

come up against a difficulty

This alternative emphasizes the act of opposing something difficult.

experience a setback

This alternative highlights the delaying effect of the obstacle.

face a challenge

This alternative presents the obstacle as a test of one's abilities.

meet a challenge

This alternative is very similar to 'face a challenge', with a slight variation in verb choice.

strike an impediment

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the hindering nature of the obstacle.

find an obstruction

This alternative highlights the blocking nature of the obstacle.

come across a snag

This alternative is more informal and suggests a minor, unexpected problem.

FAQs

What does "encounter hurdle" mean?

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

Is it better to say "encounter a hurdle" or "face a hurdle"?

"Face a hurdle" is generally preferred over "encounter a hurdle" as it's more common and direct. While both are grammatically correct, "face" often sounds more natural in contemporary English.

What can I say instead of "encounter hurdle"?

You can use alternatives like "face an obstacle", "meet a challenge", or "experience a setback" depending on the specific context.

In what situations is "encounter hurdle" most appropriate?

The phrase "encounter hurdle" can be used in various contexts to describe facing challenges, though it is not particularly common. It might be suitable when emphasizing a problem that requires overcoming, but simpler alternatives are often better.