faced a hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "faced a hurdle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe encountering an obstacle or challenge in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or academic situations. Example: "During the project, the team faced a hurdle when they realized the budget was insufficient for the required resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Even so, Levi suggested that they still faced a hurdle with consumers.

The New York Times - Food

In the nineteen-forties, Virginia Woolf believed that women writers still faced a hurdle: telling the truth about the female body.

The New Yorker

Even with the mobile tower, controllers faced a hurdle: how to transmit radar signals to the mobile tower from the radar control unit 1,000 feet away.

The New York Times - Tech

Scots Nats: Nationalist trolls on Twitter faced a hurdle after the SNP failed to secure an overall majority in Scotland: a blow to the party's hopes of holding a second independence referendum.

The Guardian

When "Big Love" concluded, Paxton told The Times Maryy McNamara that he faced a hurdle.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Twitter fans face a hurdle: Can you use it at work without being caught?

The New York Times

Ms. Lichter said many families would still face a hurdle in coming up with the $585 application fee for the waiver.

The New York Times

As countries seek to reduce their stockpiles of NUCLEAR MATERIAL, they face a hurdle in verifying that other nations are doing the same.

Princeton University

But with the Bush tax cuts scheduled to expire at year's end, the Republicans face a hurdle similar to the one that confronted Warner Brothers.

The New York Times

M&S could face a hurdle because cutting prices for hospital franchises and not for any of its other franchises may breach competition law.

Independent

Even the tentative plans face a hurdle, however, because the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission may designate the entire Close as a landmark.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "faced a hurdle", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and impact of the obstacle. This provides a more vivid and informative picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "faced a hurdle" for minor inconveniences. This phrase implies a significant challenge, so reserve it for situations where the obstacle genuinely presents a considerable difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faced a hurdle" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something encountered an obstacle. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show it used to describe challenges in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "faced a hurdle" is a grammatically sound and widely applicable way to describe encountering a significant challenge. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears regularly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, consider the intensity and ensure it accurately reflects the significance of the obstacle. Alternatives like "encountered a challenge" or "met an obstacle" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis. Overall, it's a versatile phrase suitable for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered a challenge

Replaces "hurdle" with a more general term, slightly softening the intensity of the obstacle.

met an obstacle

Uses "obstacle" instead of "hurdle", maintaining a similar level of formality.

confronted a difficulty

More formal, emphasizing the act of actively dealing with the challenge.

hit a roadblock

Uses a more metaphorical term, implying a complete stoppage or significant delay.

ran into a problem

More informal, suggesting a less predictable or anticipated difficulty.

contended with a setback

Emphasizes the negative impact of the obstacle and the need to recover from it.

grappled with an issue

Implies a prolonged and perhaps difficult struggle with the challenge.

navigated a challenge

Focuses on the process of carefully maneuvering through a difficult situation.

addressed a complexity

Highlights the intricate nature of the challenge and the need for careful consideration.

overcame an impediment

Highlights the successful resolution of the obstacle, focusing on the achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "faced a hurdle" in a sentence?

You can use "faced a hurdle" to describe encountering a significant obstacle or challenge in a specific situation. For example: "The company "faced a hurdle" when the new regulations were introduced".

What are some alternatives to "faced a hurdle"?

Alternatives include phrases like "encountered a challenge", "met an obstacle", or "ran into a problem". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey. See also "confronted a difficulty" or "hit a roadblock".

Is it more appropriate to say "face a hurdle" or "faced a hurdle"?

The correct tense depends on when the obstacle was encountered. Use "face a hurdle" for present or future situations, and "faced a hurdle" for past situations. For instance, “They face a hurdle in securing funding” versus “They "faced a hurdle" during the project”.

What is the difference between "faced a hurdle" and "overcame a hurdle"?

"Faced a hurdle" simply indicates the presence of an obstacle. "Overcame a hurdle", however, implies that the obstacle was successfully dealt with. The latter suggests a positive resolution, while the former is neutral.