encountering obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encountering obstacles" 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 obstacles that required creative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

At the same time, we have been encountering obstacles and challenges along our democratization process".

The New York Times

In it, players take on the role of a young Iñupiat girl named Nuna and her pet arctic fox as they make their way through a beautifully rendered icy landscape, encountering obstacles based on the "Kunuuksaayuka" story.

The New Yorker

At a ceremony in London hosted by the actor and director Richard Ayoade, the drama also picked up best actress for newcomer Hayley Squires, who plays a single mother also encountering obstacles claiming welfare.

The Guardian - Film

I have heard different versions of this story over the last few months as I travelled around the continent: African farmers and agriculture businesses experiencing an initial burst of entrepreneurial success, reflecting the tremendous potential for agriculture as an economic driver, but then encountering obstacles that raise questions about how to sustain it.

The Guardian

But her big-dollar fund-raising apparatus that was once the envy of the political world is encountering obstacles as many of those in its regular networks of donors have reached the maximum on their personal contributions or grown tired of the relentless press for donations.

The New York Times

The response of sharing economy companies encountering obstacles of this sort should be to rally the forces that stand to gain while making the case, wherever possible, that the forces of disruption can be good for "traditional" businesses too, he says.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But he still encounters obstacles at every turn.

The New York Times

The agency has also encountered obstacles from companies.

The New York Times

"Many young people encounter obstacles when it comes to getting information.

The New York Times

Recently, some of the most exciting projects from Tour's lab have encountered obstacles.

The New Yorker

The main character is a flawed man who encounters obstacles in pursuit of glory.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encountering obstacles" to describe ongoing challenges or difficulties faced during a process or project. It suggests an active engagement with the problems.

Common error

While "encountering obstacles" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid it in overly simple situations where "having problems" or "facing difficulties" would be more straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encountering obstacles" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often serving as the subject or part of the subject in a sentence. As Ludwig suggests, it describes the act of actively facing difficulties or challenges during a process or project.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "encountering obstacles" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the experience of facing challenges, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun and is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While it's a useful phrase, consider simpler alternatives like "facing difficulties" or "having problems" in more informal settings. Remember that "encountering obstacles" describes the initial experience, while "overcoming obstacles" refers to successfully resolving them. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples demonstrates the phrase's consistent usage and appropriateness in various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facing difficulties

Focuses on the act of confronting general hardships.

confronting challenges

Highlights a direct and forceful approach to dealing with difficulties.

facing hurdles

Implies overcoming specific barriers or obstacles.

experiencing setbacks

Emphasizes temporary delays or reversals in progress.

coming up against barriers

Highlights the presence of obstructive impediments.

navigating difficulties

Emphasizes skillful handling of complex situations.

running into problems

Suggests unexpected issues that arise during a process.

meeting challenges

Highlights the confrontation with demanding tasks or situations.

dealing with impediments

Focuses on managing factors that hinder progress.

experiencing adversity

Focuses on facing unfavorable conditions or misfortune.

FAQs

How can I use "encountering obstacles" in a sentence?

You can use "encountering obstacles" to describe facing challenges during a process. For example: "The project team is currently encountering obstacles in securing funding."

What phrases are similar to "encountering obstacles"?

Similar phrases include "facing challenges", "experiencing difficulties", or "running into problems". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "encountering obstacles" or "faced with obstacles"?

"Encountering obstacles" suggests an ongoing process of facing challenges, while "faced with obstacles" implies a more static situation. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the active engagement with the problems or the state of being challenged.

What is the difference between "encountering obstacles" and "overcoming obstacles"?

"Encountering obstacles" describes the initial experience of facing challenges. "Overcoming obstacles", on the other hand, refers to successfully resolving those challenges and moving forward.