impediment

USAGE SUMMARY

'impediment' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a noun that refers to something that causes a hindrance or obstacle. For example: The lack of proper funding was a major impediment to achieving our goal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To him, it seemed that tax avoidance and tax havens were a real impediment to allowing developing countries to function properly, and also a moral issue for companies in the developed world; for the Jersey-born Christensen, paying a fair amount of tax was the duty of any good citizen.

The Guardian - Business

The test of a nation is not how many millionaires you have, but how many millions you lift out of poverty … Donald Kaberuka Kaberuka also warns that Africa's economic development is being choked by chronic energy shortages: "Today, in every single African country, from South Africa to the north, the biggest impediment to economic growth is energy," he says.

The Guardian

It also massively hikes up the price of the drugs and this is perhaps the biggest impediment".

The Guardian

Politics had been the main impediment to change, he inferred, with the UK leadership understanding the problems but slow to act.

The Guardian - Books

The other way to get there, of course, is despite the impediment of a big mouth or an idiotic moustache, and fortunately for David Warner, he has both.

The Guardian - Sport

Zapu enjoyed overwhelming support among the Ndebele and was seen as an impediment by the leadership of Zanu-PF.

The Guardian

He is an impediment for Greece, a drag on the talks and he has to go".

The Guardian

The biggest impediment to the improvement of many settlements is the misconception that they are illegitimate, because residents don't own the land they occupy.

The Guardian

Tony Benn (formerly known as Viscount Stansgate) didn't think his privileged upbringing was any impediment to his role as a leading socialist.

The Guardian - Opinion

You're no one in the ICC rankings any more unless you got there despite the impediment of an absent lung.

The Guardian - Sport

Public opposition to fracking in the UK has continued to rise, according to polling released as the new Conservative energy secretary said she would "deliver shale" now the impediment of the Liberal Democrats had been removed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impediment", ensure the context clearly defines what is being hindered and the specific nature of the obstacle.

Common error

Avoid using "impediment" in casual conversation; simpler words like "problem" or "obstacle" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impediment" is as a noun, referring to something that hinders or obstructs progress. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "impediment" acts as the subject or object of a sentence, illustrating its role in describing barriers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impediment" is a noun referring to something that hinders progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used in English. The examples show it appears most often in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts, lending itself to neutral or formal writing. While "obstacle" and "hindrance" are good synonyms, "impediment" carries a slightly more inherent or systemic connotation. Remember, although the word is correct, it can be confused for more straightforward alternatives in casual language. Considering these nuances ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obstacle

Replaces "impediment" with a more general term for something that blocks progress.

hindrance

Substitutes "impediment" with a synonym highlighting the act of delaying or obstructing.

barrier

Replaces "impediment" with a term emphasizing a physical or metaphorical block.

obstruction

Substitutes "impediment" with a word suggesting something that is blocking a path or process.

setback

Replaces "impediment" by focusing on a delay in progress or a reversal.

drawback

Substitutes "impediment" emphasizing a disadvantage or negative aspect.

stumbling block

Replaces "impediment" with an idiom suggesting something that causes one to hesitate or fail.

restraint

Substitutes "impediment" by highlighting something that limits or controls action.

encumbrance

Replaces "impediment" with a term suggesting a burden or something that weighs down.

deterrent

Substitutes "impediment" emphasizing something that discourages or prevents action.

FAQs

How can I use "impediment" in a sentence?

You can use "impediment" to describe something that hinders progress, like "The language barrier was a significant impediment to communication."

What's a good alternative to using "impediment"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "obstacle", "hindrance", or "barrier".

Is it better to use "impediment" or "obstacle"?

While both words are similar, "impediment" often implies a more inherent or systemic obstruction, while "obstacle" can refer to a specific, tangible block. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Can "impediment" be used to describe a personal characteristic?

Yes, "impediment" can describe a personal characteristic that hinders someone, such as a speech impediment, which is a speech disorder that impedes clear communication.