enormous obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enormous obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe significant challenges or difficulties that one may face in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or societal situations. Example: "The team faced enormous obstacles in their quest to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Ibrahim faced enormous obstacles.

The New Yorker

But the peace accord faces enormous obstacles.

The New York Times

Justice Thomas faced enormous obstacles in life.

The New York Times - Books

But such candidates face enormous obstacles.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even so, television crews face enormous obstacles.

The New York Times

There are two enormous obstacles to treating glioblastomas.

The New York Times - Health

In the face of enormous obstacles, Shackleton found a way to do this".

The New York Times

The government agenda has certainly hit enormous obstacles, both political and economic.

The Economist

Criminal prosecutions might serve these functions, but they face enormous obstacles.

The New York Times

The Japanese company's ascendancy underscores the enormous obstacles faced by G.M. on many fronts.

The New York Times

I do not know if the ambitious project of European integration will survive the enormous obstacles it currently faces.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "enormous obstacles", ensure the context clearly defines what makes the obstacles so significant. Providing specific examples or details will enhance the impact and clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "enormous obstacles" when the challenges are relatively minor or easily overcome. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact when truly significant challenges arise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enormous obstacles" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the object of a preposition. It describes substantial impediments or challenges that hinder progress or success, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "enormous obstacles" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression to describe significant challenges. Analysis from Ludwig indicates that the phrase functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition, and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "significant barriers" or "formidable challenges" exist, understanding the specific nuances of "enormous obstacles" can help writers effectively convey the magnitude of difficulties in various situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for neutral and professional registers, making it a valuable tool for clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant barriers

Replaces "enormous" with "significant" and "obstacles" with "barriers", altering the specific word choice while retaining the core meaning of substantial impediments.

formidable challenges

Substitutes "enormous" with "formidable" and "obstacles" with "challenges", suggesting difficulties that are daunting and inspire respect.

insurmountable difficulties

Replaces "enormous" with "insurmountable" and "obstacles" with "difficulties", indicating problems that appear impossible to overcome.

major impediments

Changes "enormous" to "major" and "obstacles" to "impediments", conveying significant hindrances or obstructions.

substantial hurdles

Replaces "enormous" with "substantial" and "obstacles" with "hurdles", suggesting significant barriers that require effort to overcome.

considerable setbacks

Alters the phrase to focus on "setbacks" that are "considerable", emphasizing significant delays or reverses in progress.

overwhelming hardships

Changes the focus to "hardships" that are "overwhelming", highlighting extremely difficult conditions or circumstances.

severe limitations

Shifts the emphasis to "limitations" that are "severe", indicating restrictions that significantly hinder progress or freedom.

grave predicaments

Replaces the original words to refer to "predicaments" that are "grave", focusing on serious and difficult situations.

daunting prospects

Alters the phrase to describe "prospects" that are "daunting", emphasizing the discouraging or intimidating nature of future possibilities.

FAQs

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

You can use "enormous obstacles" to describe significant challenges or difficulties faced by someone or something. For instance, "The project team faced "enormous obstacles" due to budget constraints and tight deadlines".

What are some alternatives to "enormous obstacles"?

Some alternatives include "significant barriers", "formidable challenges", or "major impediments". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "enormous obstacles" or "huge obstacles"?

Both "enormous obstacles" and "huge obstacles" are grammatically correct. "Enormous" often suggests a sense of scale or complexity, while "huge" simply implies size. The choice depends on the context and the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Can "enormous obstacles" be used in a positive context?

"Enormous obstacles" typically implies a negative context, referring to significant challenges. However, it can be used to highlight the achievement of overcoming such obstacles, framing it as a testament to resilience and determination.