encountering an obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encountering an obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or difficulties faced in various contexts, such as personal experiences, projects, or problem-solving scenarios. Example: "While working on the project, we found ourselves encountering an obstacle that required us to rethink our approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Encountering an obstacle, the loop could break, become snakelike and slither around it.

The New York Times - Tech

On encountering an obstacle, the Spk translocated towards the site of contact (Fig.  2A; Movie S2).

Cellular Microbiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

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

Their guidance counselor was their adviser, consulting with them when the group flagged in energy or encountered an obstacle.

The New York Times

The atmosphere behaves like a fluid, so when flowing air encounters an obstacle, it disrupts the flow.

The Guardian

"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

Every time we encountered an obstacle, I had to calculate how many helpers we would need, and then set out to find a nearby village.

The New York Times

David Ellner, a 49-year-old veteran of the music industry, loves to whip something up in the kitchen, but for years he encountered an obstacle when it came to printed recipes.

The New York Times

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "encountering an obstacle", ensure the context clearly defines the nature and impact of the obstacle. Be specific about how the obstacle affects the situation or individual involved.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when "encountering an obstacle" to maintain clarity and impact. Instead of saying "An obstacle was encountered", opt for "They encountered an obstacle" to emphasize the subject's action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encountering an obstacle" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly describes the action of coming across a difficulty. The examples show it used to describe both physical and abstract challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "encountering an obstacle" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe facing a challenge or difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies the nature and impact of the obstacle. Alternative phrases such as "facing a challenge" or "overcoming a hurdle" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facing a challenge

Replaces "obstacle" with "challenge", focusing on the difficulty presented.

experiencing a difficulty

Focuses on the experience of hardship or struggle.

overcoming a hurdle

Shifts the focus to successfully dealing with the obstacle.

confronting a setback

Emphasizes the idea of encountering something that delays progress.

finding an impediment

Stresses something that hinders or prevents progress.

meeting with adversity

Highlights the negative conditions or misfortune.

hitting a roadblock

Idiomatic expression suggesting an obstruction to progress.

navigating an obstruction

Highlights the act of maneuvering around the barrier.

running into a problem

More informal, suggesting a less severe obstacle.

tackling an issue

Highlights the need to address the obstacle directly.

FAQs

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

You can use "encountering an obstacle" to describe a situation where someone faces a challenge. For example, "While developing the project, the team found themselves encountering an obstacle related to data integration."

What are some alternatives to saying "encountering an obstacle"?

Alternatives include "facing a challenge", "overcoming a hurdle", or "running into a problem", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "encountering an obstacle" or "facing an obstacle"?

Both "encountering an obstacle" and "facing an obstacle" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context. "Encountering" may suggest a more unexpected or accidental meeting with the obstacle.

What does "encountering an obstacle" imply?

It implies that someone or something is actively moving towards a goal and unexpectedly meets a hindrance or difficulty. The phrase suggests that the obstacle was not necessarily anticipated.