fraught with obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fraught with obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or journey that is filled with difficulties or challenges. Example: "The project was fraught with obstacles, making it difficult to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

But developing in China can be fraught with obstacles.

The New York Times

This process, Libyans recognise, is fraught with obstacles.

The Economist

Serial coordination is not spontaneous and is fraught with obstacles.

Harvard Business Review

The plan is full of hope and fraught with obstacles.

The New York Times

The journey to the next world was fraught with obstacles.

Britannica

The rebound in Taiwan looks equally impressive but likewise is fraught with obstacles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Each of the options is fraught with practical obstacles and political baggage.

Independent

But the way forward may be fraught with legal obstacles as the Palestinians try to balance their diplomatic victory with the demands of their previous, more concrete achievements.

The New York Times

For Apple, the road to making Siri as remarkable in practice as she is in concept is fraught with technical obstacles, business challenges, and legal risks of every size and kind.

TechCrunch

The integration of health information from disparate sources is a daunting task fraught with considerable obstacles.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Comparison of adherence to HAART between studies is fraught with many obstacles including differences in study population and design, definition and measurement of adherence, as well as differences in sample size and type of HAART.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fraught with obstacles", ensure the context clearly defines what those obstacles are, either explicitly or implicitly, for maximum impact and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fraught with obstacles" to describe minor inconveniences or everyday challenges. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant and complex difficulties.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fraught with obstacles" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe something filled with or characterized by difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fraught with obstacles" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI, to describe situations filled with significant difficulties. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, it conveys a sense of serious challenges. While alternatives like "beset with challenges" or "riddled with difficulties" exist, "fraught with obstacles" remains a strong choice for emphasizing the presence of complex impediments. When using this phrase, ensure the obstacles are clearly defined or implied, and avoid applying it to trivial situations to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fraught with hurdles

This alternative replaces "obstacles" with "hurdles", which is slightly more informal.

beset with challenges

This alternative uses "beset" instead of "fraught", emphasizing the feeling of being attacked or troubled by challenges.

riddled with difficulties

This alternative replaces "fraught" with "riddled", highlighting the pervasive nature of the difficulties.

replete with impediments

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "fraught" with "replete" and "obstacles" with "impediments".

laden with complications

This alternative substitutes "fraught" with "laden" and "obstacles" with "complications", focusing on the complex nature of the difficulties.

strewn with setbacks

This alternative replaces "fraught" with "strewn", emphasizing the scattered and numerous nature of the setbacks.

beset by problems

This alternative uses "beset" instead of "fraught", focusing on the feeling of being attacked by problems.

hampered by difficulties

This alternative uses a passive construction and replaces "fraught" with "hampered", highlighting the restrictive effect of the difficulties.

hindered by impediments

This alternative employs "hindered" instead of "fraught", emphasizing the act of being slowed down by the impediments.

plagued by challenges

This alternative uses "plagued" instead of "fraught", emphasizing the persistent and troublesome nature of the challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "fraught with obstacles" in a sentence?

Use "fraught with obstacles" to describe a situation, plan, or journey that is filled with significant difficulties and challenges. For example, "The path to success is often fraught with obstacles."

What can I say instead of "fraught with obstacles"?

You can use alternatives like "beset with challenges", "riddled with difficulties", or "replete with impediments" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "fraught with challenges" instead of "fraught with obstacles"?

Yes, "fraught with challenges" is a perfectly acceptable alternative. The terms "challenges" and "obstacles" are often interchangeable in this context.

What's the difference between "fraught with obstacles" and "full of difficulties"?

While both phrases indicate the presence of problems, "fraught with obstacles" suggests a more intense and potentially dangerous situation. "Full of difficulties" is a more general and less dramatic way to express the same idea.