impediment to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "impediment to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that obstructs or hinders progress or action. Example: "The lack of funding is a significant impediment to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The main impediment to graduation: freshman math.

The New York Times

That is an impediment to political change.

The Economist

Are drugs an impediment to rebuilding?

The New Yorker

One impediment to that is India's roads.

The Economist

That lawsuit was an impediment to reforms".

The New York Times

"It is an impediment to learning".

The New York Times

Transportation was not an impediment to visitation.

The New York Times - Health

"But now that's an impediment to successful aging".

The New York Times - Health

His weight would be a significant impediment to recovery.

The New Yorker

This energy deficit is also an impediment to development.

The New York Times

as an impediment to more active government intervention.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "impediment to", ensure clarity by specifying what is being impeded. For example, instead of saying "it's an impediment", specify "it's an impediment to progress".

Common error

Avoid using "impediment to" in overly simple sentences where a more direct word like "problem" or "difficulty" would suffice. This can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "impediment to" functions as a noun phrase acting as a postmodifier, typically following a noun or pronoun. It serves to specify what is being hindered or obstructed. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impediment to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively identifies obstacles hindering progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts. While the phrase appears across multiple source types, it finds its strongest presence in "News & Media" and "Science". Remember that while alternatives like "obstacle to" or "hindrance to" exist, "impediment to" carries a slightly more formal tone. When writing, be clear about what specifically is being impeded. Avoiding overuse in overly simple sentences can also enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obstacle to

This alternative replaces "impediment" with "obstacle", maintaining a direct synonymy and nearly identical meaning.

hindrance to

Using "hindrance" instead of "impediment" offers a slightly less formal tone while preserving the core sense of obstruction.

barrier to

Substituting "impediment" with "barrier" suggests a more absolute obstruction, a block that needs to be overcome.

roadblock to

Replacing "impediment" with "roadblock" implies a sudden, often unexpected, obstruction in progress.

stumbling block to

This longer alternative emphasizes something that causes one to hesitate or falter, suggesting a more nuanced obstacle.

drawback to

This term shifts the focus to a disadvantageous aspect rather than a direct obstruction, a negative feature that impedes progress.

constraint on

This alternative uses a different preposition and emphasizes limitation or restriction rather than direct prevention.

encumbrance to

This phrase evokes a sense of burden or weight that slows down progress, highlighting a more passive form of impediment.

disincentive for

Changing the preposition and noun shifts the focus to something that discourages action, rather than directly blocking it.

deterrent to

This alternative focuses on discouraging or preventing action, often through fear or doubt, highlighting a psychological impediment.

FAQs

How can I use "impediment to" in a sentence?

The phrase "impediment to" is used to describe something that hinders or obstructs progress. For example: "The lack of funding is a major "impediment to" the project's success".

What are some alternatives to saying "impediment to"?

Alternatives to "impediment to" include "obstacle to", "hindrance to", or "barrier to", depending on the specific context.

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

The correct preposition to use with "impediment" in this context is "to". "Impediment for" is not grammatically standard. Therefore, use ""impediment to"".

What's the difference between "impediment to" and "challenge to"?

"Impediment to" suggests something that obstructs progress, while "challenge to" implies a situation that requires effort to overcome. While a challenge may slow progress, an "impediment to" directly hinders it.