impeding

USAGE SUMMARY

'impeding' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something as making progress difficult or delaying it. Example sentence: Poor road conditions were impeding the progress of the delivery truck.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The commission, however, was hastily wound up in 1948 and quickly forgotten – thanks to the US, which believed the trials were impeding Germany's rehabilitation.

The Guardian

The city's officials recognise the challenge will be integrating flood protection into Vancouver's urban fabric, in a way that improves quality of life rather than impeding it.

The Guardian

Since it exports so much oil, impeding that traffic might seem self-defeating.

The Economist

Opposition to Obamacare is impeding even some Democratic governors.

The Economist

Yet these laudable activities conflict with another pressing goal: impeding money laundering.

The Economist

On June 12th his forces again managed to reach those oilfields, impeding efforts to resume production.Oil apart, NATO and the rebels are tightening the noose.

The Economist

Of all the infrastructural bottlenecks impeding India's growth, a shortage of electricity may be the most crippling.

The Economist

All ten provinces are guilty of impeding the internal movement of goods, services and people in Canada sometimes on purpose, through the creative use of rules and regulations; and sometimes by accident when they fail to co-ordinate among themselves.Recent trade disputes span multiple industries.

The Economist

Polls suggest that half the voters are now against joining the EU, and only a third in favour.In this section Now comes the pain No, thanks Central questions Gone fishing Impunity time Stand and deliver Europe's hypochondriacs Correction: Dutch politics ReprintsThe British and Dutch governments deny that they are impeding either Iceland's IMF deal or its EU accession.

The Economist

The White House recently announced that the agency had scrapped a rule requiring leaks of dairy products to be treated as oil spills, as part of a government-wide review of red tape that may be impeding economic growth.

The Economist

They worry that the lender will end up impeding genuine restructuring.But for all its talk of free markets, the government does not want any big chaebol to go bust.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the subtle differences between "impeding" and similar words like "hindering" or "obstructing". "Impeding" often suggests a gradual slowing or making difficult, while others might imply a complete stop.

Common error

Avoid using "impeding" to describe something that is simply present and creating a barrier without actively affecting progress. For example, a wall isn't "impeding" movement unless someone is actively trying to move through it. A more appropriate term might be "preventing" or "blocking" instead.

Linguistic Context

Impeding functions primarily as a present participle or gerund. It describes an ongoing action that is hindering or obstructing something else. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a process that is actively slowing down or making progress more difficult.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "impeding" functions as a present participle, describing the act of hindering or obstructing progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Its frequency is very common, primarily appearing in News & Media sources. While similar to words like "hindering" and "obstructing", it specifically suggests a gradual slowdown. When using "impeding", ensure the subject is actively contributing to the obstruction, and avoid using it to describe static barriers. Remembering these nuances will lead to more precise and effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hindering

Similar in meaning, but can also imply a more temporary or minor obstruction.

obstructing

Suggests a more forceful blocking or preventing of something.

hampering

Emphasizes the difficulty or burden caused by the obstruction.

blocking

Implies a complete prevention of movement or progress.

slowing down

Focuses on the reduction of speed or pace.

delaying

Highlights the postponement or deferment of an action or event.

disrupting

Suggests a disturbance or interruption of a process or activity.

restricting

Indicates a limitation or constraint on something.

curtailing

Implies a reduction or cutting short of something.

thwarting

Suggests successfully preventing someone's plans from succeeding.

FAQs

How can I use "impeding" in a sentence?

"Impeding" is often used to describe something that slows down or obstructs progress. For example: "The heavy traffic was impeding our journey."

What are some alternatives to using "impeding"?

You can use alternatives like "hindering", "obstructing", or "hampering", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "impeding" and "preventing"?

"Impeding" suggests slowing down or making something more difficult, while "preventing" implies completely stopping something from happening.

Is it correct to say something is "impeding on" something else?

While "impeding" can be followed by a preposition, it is more common and grammatically sound to use it directly. Saying something is "impeding" progress is preferable to saying it is "impeding on" progress.