encounter roadblocks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter roadblocks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or obstacles faced in a process or project. Example: "During the project, we encountered roadblocks that delayed our progress significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

When you encounter roadblocks, promise me one thing: you stay in the fight.

Huffington Post

As a writer covering energy, environment and climate issues, I most frequently encounter roadblocks when dealing with the Environmental Protection Agency -- and it is clear that I am not alone.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Previous efforts at a decision on net neutrality had encountered roadblocks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

On Sunday, October 28th, Dutchess County residents began encountering roadblocks and traffic jams.

The New Yorker

In central Africa, he encounters roadblocks made of the freshly dead, the most convenient, ready-to-hand materials.

The New York Times - Books

In response to the Summers controversy, she published an essay in The Washington Post describing her gradual realization that women were leaving the profession not because they weren't gifted but because of the "slow drumbeat of being underappreciated, feeling uncomfortable and encountering roadblocks along the path to success".

The New York Times - Magazine

Nearly a decade after the Philippines began promoting renewable energy through legislation, the country has seen gains and encountered roadblocks in its transition to low carbon.

Energy Research & Social Science

Perhaps the most important aspect of such mentoring is the fact that while women may encounter similar roadblocks and face common challenges during their careers, there is no one right answer to any problem.

Science Magazine

But they've encountered bureaucratic roadblocks in using federal grants across more than one jurisdiction.

The New York Times

Other communities across the United States have encountered similar roadblocks to improving player safety.

The New York Times - Sports

Tesla, too, has invested considerable resources into developing assistive technologies for its vehicles, but it too has encountered some roadblocks as its head of Autopilot (its in-house autonomy solution) left in April.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "encounter roadblocks", consider the context to determine if a more specific term might be more appropriate. For instance, "face obstacles" might be better when discussing general challenges, while "meet resistance" could be used when addressing opposition from others.

Common error

While "encounter roadblocks" is perfectly acceptable, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "hit a snag" or "ran into trouble" to maintain a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter roadblocks" functions as a verb phrase, where "encounter" is the verb and "roadblocks" is its direct object. It typically describes the experience of facing obstacles or difficulties in a process or project, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encounter roadblocks" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, as validated by Ludwig. While not extremely frequent, it's commonly found in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. Its function is primarily to describe the experience of facing obstacles, with a neutral to professional register. When writing, consider the context to determine whether more straightforward alternatives like "face obstacles" or "meet challenges" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Face obstacles

Focuses on the act of dealing with impediments, changing from unplanned events to a continuous aspect.

Meet challenges

Emphasizes overcoming difficulties head-on, differing by highlighting active responses.

Hit snags

Suggests minor, unexpected problems, which offers a lighter tone compared to more significant obstacles.

Experience setbacks

Highlights temporary reverses in progress, where the shift focuses on temporary interruptions.

Run into difficulties

Indicates problems are arising, changing from unexpected events to a situation that requires navigation.

Face adversity

Highlights facing hardships, where the semantic load turns the focus on enduring difficult conditions.

Confront obstacles

Stresses a direct and forceful engagement with difficulties, where the perspective highlights active opposition.

Stumble upon hindrances

Highlights the unexpected discovery of obstacles, where the tone focuses on incidental discovery.

Navigate hurdles

Focuses on skillfully overcoming obstacles, where the meaning focuses on active overcoming.

Deal with impediments

Suggests managing and handling obstructions in a process, where the load is on solving the issues.

FAQs

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

You can use "encounter roadblocks" to describe facing difficulties or obstacles in a project or situation. For example, "During the project, we "encounter roadblocks" that delayed our progress".

What can I say instead of "encounter roadblocks"?

Alternatives to "encounter roadblocks" include "face obstacles", "meet challenges", or "run into difficulties", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "encounter roadblocks" or "face challenges"?

"Encounter roadblocks" specifically suggests unexpected or obstructive difficulties, while "face challenges" is a more general term for dealing with difficult situations.

What's the difference between "encounter roadblocks" and "overcome obstacles"?

"Encounter roadblocks" describes the initial experience of facing difficulties, while "overcome obstacles" focuses on successfully resolving those difficulties and moving forward.