key impediment to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "key impediment to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or barrier that hinders progress or achievement in a particular context. Example: "The lack of funding is a key impediment to the success of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

However, thermal challenges are a key impediment to stacking logic dies on top of each other.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

Security is increasingly recognized as a key impediment to sharing data in enterprise systems, virtual enterprises, and the semantic Web.

Proceedings 2004 VLDB Conference

Nabil Wahbeh Berkeley, Calif., June 2 , 2009• To the Editor: The Israeli settlements are a key impediment to progress in the Middle East.

The New York Times

The Australian Financial Review is reporting Toyota told the government in December workplace conditions was a key impediment to the company staying in Australia.

The Guardian

This capacity loss is now a key impediment to using lithium-ion batteries in hybrid vehicles, which could be exposed to these conditions.

MIT Technology Review

For instance, agricultural tariffs and quotas, a key impediment to Central American exports, are phased out over a longer period than tariffs on industrial goods and services, most of which are from the United States.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The host immune response and low vector efficiency have been key impediments to effective cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene transfer for cystic fibrosis (CF).

Stanford University

The report also singled out the legal system for its reliance on generating revenue from mostly poor citizens as one of the key impediments to serious reform.

The Guardian

Drawing on several decades of experience, researchers engaged in such science, completed an assessment of the design and management attributes and impact pathways that lead to successful projects and programs and to understand key impediments to success.

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

One of the key impediments to the expansion of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) practice across the lifecycle, particularly in competitive tendering environments, is the continued reliance on documents to define the contractual interface between the acquirer and the supplier.

Procedia Computer Science

Randi Weingarten, the head of the powerful teachers' union, which had long defended a broken system, changed her tune last summer as she became increasingly frustrated with her union's inability to negotiate a contract with the mayor, thus ending one of the key impediments to change.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "key impediment to", ensure that you clearly identify what is being hindered or prevented. Be specific about the consequences of the impediment.

Common error

Avoid superficial analyses. Dig deeper to ensure you're addressing the root cause, not just a symptom, when identifying the "key impediment to" a desired outcome. Focus on the most significant barrier, not just any obstacle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "key impediment to" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the main obstacle preventing progress or achievement. As evidenced by Ludwig, this construction is widely used across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "key impediment to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to identify the primary obstacle hindering progress. According to Ludwig, it's employed across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, be specific about what is being hindered and avoid superficial analyses. Alternatives include "major obstacle to" and "significant barrier to", offering similar meanings. As Ludwig AI also confirms, this phrase is valuable for clearly and directly communicating the main challenges in any situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major obstacle to

Replaces "key impediment" with a more general term for obstacle.

significant barrier to

Substitutes "impediment" with "barrier", conveying a similar sense of obstruction.

primary obstacle to

Emphasizes the importance of the obstacle, similar to "key impediment".

chief hindrance to

Uses "hindrance" instead of "impediment", implying something that delays or prevents progress.

main stumbling block to

Replaces "impediment" with a more figurative expression, suggesting a difficulty that prevents progress.

critical bottleneck for

Changes the metaphor to a bottleneck, indicating a point of congestion or blockage.

fundamental challenge to

Highlights the difficulty as a challenge that needs to be overcome.

substantial obstacle to

Emphasizes the size or impact of the obstacle.

serious barrier to

Highlights the severity or importance of the barrier.

a major setback for

Shifts the focus to the negative impact of the impediment as a setback.

FAQs

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

Use "key impediment to" to point out the main obstacle that hinders progress or prevents a certain outcome. For example, "Lack of funding is a "key impediment to" the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "key impediment to"?

Alternatives include "major obstacle to", "significant barrier to", or "primary challenge to". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "key impediment to" or "major impediment to"?

Both "key impediment to" and "major impediment to" are correct. "Key" emphasizes the criticality of the impediment, while "major" emphasizes its size or impact. The best choice depends on the context and what aspect you want to highlight.

What is the difference between "impediment to" and "obstacle to"?

"Impediment" often suggests something that hinders or delays progress, whereas "obstacle" typically refers to something that blocks or obstructs. While similar, "impediment" can imply a more subtle hindrance than "obstacle".