is being obstructive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being obstructive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is hindering or preventing progress or action. Example: "The committee's decision is being obstructive to the project's timeline, causing delays in implementation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Her strong suit is being obstructive and annoying.

The New York Times

The local Seleka commanders, officially now part of the national army, deny responsibility for what Amnesty International has called human rights violations on an "unprecedented scale" and claim Tonfio is being obstructive.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The evidence we've had conclusively demonstrates that the law firm you mentioned produced, I think, just one document, which we know did not represent the position at all, and one way or another, News International were being obstructive.

The New Yorker

This week Jay told Murdoch: "The law firm … produced, I think, just one document, which we know did not represent the position at all, and one way or another, News International were being obstructive.

The Guardian

"Police, social services or hospitals dealing with people with conditions that affect their ability to communicate can decide they are being obstructive or evasive," she said.

BBC

Santiago's injuries were so serious we knew we had to get him to hospital, but some of the police were being obstructive - perhaps not realising the gravity of the situation - and many protesters were berating and screaming at the security forces, blaming them for the attack.

BBC

Ahead of the ruling Ian Peddie QC, representing Roberts, whose case is being funded by legal aid, said she was not being obstructive and her position reflected "the love that she has" for her son.

The Guardian

Julie said she believed officers were being deliberately obstructive.

The Guardian

Harwood tells the court he believed Tomlinson was being deliberately obstructive.

The Guardian

Pc Simon Harwood took the witness stand for the first time today and told a jury that he believed that the unemployed alcoholic was being deliberately obstructive and tacitly encouraged police to move him during violent demonstrations three years ago.

Independent

Prior to testing, 45.5% (28 of 62) of patients with normal spirometry were being treated with medications for obstructive lung diseases; 15 (53.6%) and 13 (46.4%) of these 28 individuals were misdiagnosed with asthma and COPD, respectively.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is being obstructive", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being hindered or prevented. For instance, "The defendant is being obstructive to the investigation by refusing to provide necessary documents."

Common error

Avoid assuming malicious intent when describing someone as "being obstructive". Sometimes, actions that appear obstructive are due to misunderstanding, lack of resources, or differing priorities. Clearly assess the situation before making such a claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being obstructive" functions as a descriptive statement, typically used to characterize someone's behavior or the effect of something on a process. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It describes a state of hindering or preventing progress.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is being obstructive" is used to describe actions that hinder or delay progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively infrequent, its usage spans across contexts like news reporting, general discussions, and even scientific papers, maintaining a generally neutral tone. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what is being obstructed and avoid assuming malicious intent without evidence. Alternatives such as "is hindering progress" or "is impeding advancement" may provide nuanced options for expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is hindering progress

Replaces "obstructive" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the impediment to advancement.

is impeding advancement

Similar to 'hindering progress', but with a focus on preventing forward movement or development.

is acting as a roadblock

Uses a metaphor to describe the obstructive behavior, suggesting a barrier to progress.

is throwing up obstacles

Emphasizes the creation of difficulties or impediments.

is deliberately delaying

Focuses on the intention behind the obstructive behavior, highlighting the act of slowing things down.

is stonewalling the process

Uses a specific term for being uncooperative and obstructive, especially in legal or political contexts.

is sabotaging efforts

Suggests a more active form of obstruction, implying intentional undermining of efforts.

is creating hurdles

Similar to 'throwing up obstacles' but uses a different metaphor.

is acting uncooperatively

Focuses on the lack of collaboration, which results in obstruction.

is resisting collaboration

Highlights the resistance to working together, leading to obstruction.

FAQs

What does "is being obstructive" mean?

The phrase "is being obstructive" means someone or something is hindering progress or deliberately creating obstacles. It implies a lack of cooperation or an attempt to delay or prevent something from happening.

What are some alternative ways to say "is being obstructive"?

You can use alternatives like "is hindering progress", "is impeding advancement", or "is acting as a roadblock", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "is being obstructive" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "The witness is being obstructive by refusing to answer direct questions, which is delaying the trial." Another example: "The new regulations are being obstructive to small businesses, making it harder for them to operate efficiently."

Is there a difference between "is being obstructive" and "is obstructing"?

While both phrases indicate hindering progress, "is being obstructive" often implies a continuous or habitual behavior, while "is obstructing" can refer to a specific action. For example, "He is being obstructive in all negotiations" suggests a pattern, whereas "He is obstructing justice" describes a specific act of interference.