impede the development of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impede the development of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to hinder or slow down the progress of something. Example: The lack of funding for education programs will impede the development of students' critical thinking skills.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Studies show that AAC use does not impede the development of speech, and may result in a modest increase in speech production.

Wikipedia

Michael Winerip is concerned that formulaic writing strategies impede the development of students' thinking skills.

The New York Times

Western society is replete with attitudes that impede the development of a healthy attitude toward sex.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, the low photothermal conversion efficiency and the high power density still impede the development of CDs in PTT.

Carbon

Theoretically, the manuscript explicates how core and augmented value propositions impel or impede the development of corporate sustainability capabilities.

Journal of Cleaner Production

Alexander G. Ophir, Psychology, explores the potential for early-life social experiences to enhance or impede the development of social behavior and the brain.

Cornell University

Meanwhile, state companies and their backers lobby against giving too much power to multinationals, which could impede the development of home-grown companies.

The New York Times

Scheduling psychoactive agents in a blanket ban will impede the development of novel psychiatric medicines and prevent vulnerable members of society from potentially benefiting from new treatments.

Independent

However, variation in Rs across the landscape is compounded by site-specific differences that impede the development of spatially explicit models.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

However, these techniques derive high-order controllers which are hard to implement and that therefore impede the development of real packaged microsystems.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

The addition of sand will also impede the development of swelling pressure while the inhibiting effect becomes weak as the sand content increases.

Engineering Geology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impede the development of", ensure that the subject causing the impedance is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify which policies or factors are hindering the development.

Common error

While "impede the development of" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal. Consider simpler alternatives like "hinder" or "slow down" in less formal contexts to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impede the development of" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of hindering or obstructing the progress or growth of something. Ludwig indicates it is used in contexts where a specific factor or situation is negatively impacting advancement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Unknown/unmatched sources

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "impede the development of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies hindering or obstructing progress. As Ludwig highlights, it's frequently used in formal and scientific contexts, with a significant presence in news media as well. While generally appropriate, it's important to consider the tone of your writing and choose simpler alternatives in less formal settings. Be mindful of clearly identifying the factors causing the impediment. The phrase's prevalence across reputable sources affirms its reliability in expressing the obstruction of progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinder the advancement of

Replaces 'development' with 'advancement', focusing on forward progress.

obstruct the growth of

Uses 'growth' as a synonym for 'development', implying a natural process being blocked.

inhibit the progress of

Employs 'progress' as a broader term for advancement, applicable to various situations.

hamper the evolution of

Emphasizes the gradual unfolding or transformation of something.

slow down the expansion of

Focuses on the rate of increase or spread of something.

retard the advancement of

Uses 'retard', indicating a slowing or delaying effect on progress.

stall the maturation of

Highlights the process of reaching full development or ripeness.

stifle the emergence of

Highlights the act of suppressing something that is just beginning to appear or develop.

curtail the blossoming of

Emphasizes the potential for full and beautiful development that is being restricted.

block the unfolding of

Focuses on preventing something from gradually revealing itself or progressing.

FAQs

What does "impede the development of" mean?

The phrase "impede the development of" means to hinder, obstruct, or slow down the progress, growth, or advancement of something.

How can I use "impede the development of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe factors that are preventing something from progressing, such as "Lack of funding may "hamper the development of" new technologies."

What are some alternatives to "impede the development of"?

Some alternatives include "hinder the growth of", "obstruct the progress of", "inhibit the advancement of", or "slow down the expansion of", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "impede the development of" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "impede the development of" can sometimes sound overly formal. Consider the overall tone of your writing and whether a simpler phrase like "hinder the growth of" would be more suitable.