impediments

USAGE SUMMARY

"impediments" is an acceptable word in written English.
It is a noun that refers to an obstacle or hindrance to progress. You can use it when referring to something that is blocking, slowing, or preventing the success of something. Example sentence: There were several impediments to our project's completion, but we eventually overcame them.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The opposition's deputy leader and foreign affairs spokeswoman, Tanya Plibersek, reaffirmed her calls for the government to overcome "impediments" and send health workers to west Africa to help contain the outbreak, which had killed more than 4,500 people.

The Guardian

The government would focus on governance and regulatory impediments, trade facilitation, infrastructure, water, private sector development, agri-food, fisheries and services, and empowering women to engage in economic activities.

The Guardian

One is that over the past year the impediments placed by Iraq before the UN inspectors monitoring the weapons made their job virtually impossible, and now they have been thrown out.

The Economist

But had the negotiations been starting now, such gross impediments to trade might well have been on the agenda.Another straw in the wind is the difficult progress of some regional trade agreements.

The Economist

Yet, Bagehot submits, recent briefings against the shadow chancellor from within Mr Miliband's camp suggest a growing impatience with his performance that could sweep those impediments aside.

The Economist

Future generations will thank us.John KjellmanHenniker, New HampshireSIR – In fairness and morality we should strive to eliminate all harmful practices that produce impediments for future generations.

The Economist

New impediments—subsidies to domestic firms, for instance, local content requirements, bogus health-and-safety requirements—have gained popularity.

The Economist

Will increasing marginal tax rates undermine such activity?One of the greatest impediments to starting a new business venture is lack of available capital.

The Economist

At the same time local companies were eager to raise money for capital investment but faced bureaucratic impediments to issuing public securities.

The Economist

This means a lot of foreign investment that might want to go to Indonesia now goes elsewhere.And then there are continuing problems of corruption and what Mr Castle calls "non-transparent random regulations", which he says are the biggest impediments to business.

The Economist

The structural impediments to investment in India have been eased but not removed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing systemic issues or complex projects, use "impediments" to add a layer of formality and precision to your writing. It is especially effective when addressing challenges that require strategic solutions.

Common error

While "impediments" is a valid and useful word, avoid overusing it in contexts where simpler synonyms like "obstacles" or "hindrances" would suffice. Overusing formal vocabulary can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "impediments" is as a plural noun. It typically functions as the object of a verb or preposition, denoting multiple obstacles or hindrances. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impediments" is a grammatically correct and frequently used plural noun that refers to obstacles or hindrances. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It commonly appears in news, business, and scientific contexts, lending itself to formal and precise discussions. While "impediments" is a strong choice for highlighting challenges, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "obstacles" or "hindrances" to maintain clarity and avoid sounding overly formal. Understanding its function and register will ensure effective communication in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obstacles

Replaces "impediments" with a more common synonym indicating things that block progress.

hindrances

Substitutes "impediments" with another frequently used synonym emphasizing the action of delaying or preventing progress.

barriers

Offers a similar term for "impediments", highlighting the idea of something that prevents movement or access.

roadblocks

Uses a more direct and visual synonym for "impediments", suggesting something that stops progress abruptly.

obstructions

Replaces "impediments" with a term that focuses on the act of blocking or hindering.

difficulties

Broadens the scope of "impediments" to include any kind of problem or challenge.

challenges

Emphasizes the demanding nature of "impediments", suggesting something that requires effort to overcome.

setbacks

Focuses on the delaying aspect of "impediments", highlighting events that cause a temporary halt in progress.

drawbacks

Highlights the negative aspects of "impediments", focusing on disadvantages or limitations.

complications

Replaces "impediments" with a term that suggests added complexity or difficulty.

FAQs

How to use "impediments" in a sentence?

The word "impediments" refers to obstacles or hindrances. For example, "The project faced several impediments due to budget constraints."

What can I say instead of "impediments"?

You can use alternatives like "obstacles", "hindrances", or "barriers" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "impediments" or "impedimenta"?

"Impediments" is the plural form of "impediment", referring to obstacles. "Impedimenta" refers to baggage or equipment, especially that of an army. They have different meanings and usages.

What's the difference between "impediments" and "obstacles"?

While both refer to things that hinder progress, "impediments" often suggests something more systemic or inherent, while "obstacles" can be more specific and situational.