fundamental obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fundamental obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant barrier or challenge that is essential or primary in nature. Example: "The lack of funding presents a fundamental obstacle to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

But there is no fundamental obstacle.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will not be diplomatic". The comments present a fundamental obstacle to the international round.

The Guardian - Sport

She applauded Davis for highlighting how it was opportunity, not talent, that was the fundamental obstacle to diversity on screen.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We become incapable of recognising that the fundamental obstacle to addressing our global challenges is that we see enemies everywhere.

The Guardian

"The report says the 'absence of justice... is a fundamental obstacle in the process of building a democratic society'.

The Guardian

There appears to be no fundamental obstacle to generalizing the method to three-dimensional, energy dependent problems.

Journal of Computational Physics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

There are two fundamental obstacles that must also be addressed.

The New York Times

Two fundamental obstacles lie ahead for Stott's work.

The Guardian - Tech

KEITH: I think the fundamental obstacles are social and political.

Harvard University

But before we reach the era of self-programming computers, three fundamental obstacles must be overcome.

The New Yorker

At a high level, this reflects the fundamental obstacles to gun reform ingrained in American society.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fundamental obstacle", ensure that you clearly define what the obstacle is and why it is fundamental to the situation you are describing. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "fundamental obstacle" when a problem is merely inconvenient rather than truly essential to the core issue. Overusing the term can dilute its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fundamental obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a verb. It identifies a significant barrier or impediment. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, from political challenges to scientific problems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fundamental obstacle" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant barrier or impediment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, frequently appearing in news, scientific, and business publications. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the obstacle and its importance to provide clarity and impact. While alternatives like "major impediment" or "key challenge" exist, "fundamental obstacle" effectively highlights the core challenge that needs resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major impediment

Replaces 'obstacle' with 'impediment' maintaining the sense of a hindrance, and 'fundamental' with 'major', signifying importance.

key challenge

Substitutes 'fundamental obstacle' with 'key challenge', focusing on the problematic aspect that requires effort to overcome.

primary barrier

Uses 'barrier' instead of 'obstacle', indicating something that blocks progress, and 'primary' instead of 'fundamental'.

chief difficulty

Replaces 'obstacle' with 'difficulty', highlighting the problematic nature, and 'fundamental' with 'chief', emphasizing the importance.

main stumbling block

Employs 'stumbling block' to convey an impediment, with 'main' replacing 'fundamental' to indicate significance.

critical bottleneck

Uses 'bottleneck' to represent a point of congestion or blockage, with 'critical' replacing 'fundamental'.

core impediment

Focuses on the 'core' or central nature of the impediment, similar to 'fundamental'.

essential hindrance

Replacing 'obstacle' with 'hindrance', indicating an impediment and with 'essential' replacing 'fundamental'.

significant roadblock

Roadblock is used as something that blocks or impedes progress, where 'significant' is used to highlight the importance.

central hurdle

Replaces 'obstacle' with 'hurdle', indicating a challenge to overcome and 'fundamental' with 'central'.

FAQs

How can I use "fundamental obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "fundamental obstacle" to describe a significant barrier that prevents progress or success. For example: "Lack of funding is a "fundamental obstacle" to the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to "fundamental obstacle"?

Alternatives include "major impediment", "key challenge", or "primary barrier". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "fundamental obstacle" in formal writing?

Yes, "fundamental obstacle" is appropriate for formal writing. As Ludwig AI indicates, it appears in academic, scientific, news, and business contexts.

What makes an obstacle "fundamental"?

An obstacle is considered "fundamental" when it addresses a root cause or is essential to the core problem. Overcoming it is necessary for further progress. It is a more significant issue than a simple difficulty.