facing an obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "facing an obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone is encountering a challenge or difficulty that they need to overcome. Example: "While working on the project, I found myself facing an obstacle that required creative problem-solving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

To her consternation, she finds herself once again facing an obstacle that she believes is designed, just as it was 75 years ago, to disenfranchise her and her fellow black North Carolinians.

The Guardian

Is he facing an obstacle course?

Forbes

However, they were still facing an obstacle: physical tourists are needed for there to be a bump in the economy, and few people know about the port of San Carlos.

Vice

It was also observed that facing an obstacle, horses more frequently break left in front of it [ 17].

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

She faces an obstacle.

The Guardian - Books

But try to find the door, and you face an obstacle: there isn't one, at least not one you can easily get to.

The New York Times

But when he finally made it to South Korea, and freedom, Mr. Kim faced an obstacle that even his considerable street smarts could not help him overcome.

The New York Times

B1 PLAN FOR LOWER MANHATTAN -- A plan to rebuild the equivalent of 12 Empire State Buildings in Lower Manhattan may face an obstacle in finding commercial tenants.

The New York Times

As with home runs and hitting streaks, players today face an obstacle Williams didn't in 1941, at least not in quantity.

The New York Times - Sports

Financial institutions face an obstacle in the form of the Indian Act, the law governing native communities and their relations with outsiders.

The New York Times

Now, it looks as though he may also face an obstacle from an unexpected quarter: the United States.On September 24th, Mr Pastrana was in Washington, hoping to win support for his peace initiative, the centrepiece of his agenda.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "facing an obstacle" to clearly and directly communicate the presence of a challenge that needs to be addressed or overcome. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "facing an obstacle" for trivial or easily resolved issues. Reserve it for situations that present genuine difficulty or require significant effort to overcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing an obstacle" functions as a participial phrase, often used to describe a subject's current situation or challenge. It indicates that someone or something is in the process of dealing with a difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "facing an obstacle" describes encountering a challenge or difficulty, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct and versatile, it should be reserved for genuinely difficult situations. Alternatives like "encountering a difficulty" or "confronting a challenge" offer similar meanings. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. Usage is somewhat rare, primarily appearing in News & Media, Scientific and Business sources. When writing, reserve it for substantial challenges to avoid overuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountering a difficulty

Focuses on the act of coming across a problem.

confronting a challenge

Emphasizes a direct and potentially proactive engagement with a problem.

dealing with a hurdle

Implies overcoming a specific barrier or impediment.

running into a problem

Suggests an unexpected encounter with an issue.

meeting with adversity

Highlights the experience of facing unfavorable circumstances.

grappling with an issue

Implies a struggle or effort to understand and resolve a problem.

contending with difficulties

Focuses on actively striving to overcome hardships.

experiencing a setback

Highlights a temporary delay or reversal in progress.

navigating a predicament

Emphasizes skillful handling of a difficult situation.

enduring a trial

Suggests a prolonged period of hardship or testing.

FAQs

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

The phrase "facing an obstacle" is used to describe a situation where someone is encountering a challenge or difficulty. For example: "The company is "facing an obstacle" due to the new regulations."

What are some alternatives to "facing an obstacle"?

You can use alternatives like "encountering a difficulty", "confronting a challenge", or "dealing with a hurdle" depending on the context.

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Face an obstacle" is often used as an infinitive or imperative, while "facing an obstacle" is used as a participle phrase, often describing an ongoing situation.

What's the difference between "facing an obstacle" and "overcoming an obstacle"?

"Facing an obstacle" describes the state of encountering a challenge, while "overcoming an obstacle" describes the action of successfully dealing with and resolving that challenge.