main hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "main hurdle" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a primary obstacle that must be overcome in order to reach a goal, such as in the sentence: "The main hurdle to success in business is having enough money to get started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is Ogbogu's main hurdle.

The New York Times

The company sees the main hurdle as financing.

The New York Times

The main hurdle in cooking truffles is the cleaning.

The New York Times - Food

The main hurdle wasn't cost or content, but reception.

The New York Times

I think my main hurdle at the moment is the following step from these instructions.

Yale University

On paper I look great, but the main hurdle is always the interview.

The Guardian - Opinion

For many, the income limits that apply until 2010 are the main hurdle.

The New York Times

Getting people to collect cigarette butts is one challenge, but the main hurdle is cost.

The Guardian

The price came in around $950 a square foot, thereby overcoming his main hurdle.

The New York Times

The main hurdle, as he sees it, is cultural rather than technological.

The New York Times

But the cost of the land itself was the main hurdle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "main hurdle", ensure it clearly identifies the most significant obstacle, not just any challenge. This helps maintain clarity and focus in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "main hurdle" when describing a minor inconvenience. Save it for situations where the obstacle genuinely represents a significant impediment to progress or success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main hurdle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the principal obstacle or difficulty that must be overcome. Ludwig AI also highlights this correctness in its assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "main hurdle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the principal obstacle in a given situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and versatile across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While alternatives such as "primary obstacle" or "key challenge" exist, "main hurdle" succinctly conveys the sense of a significant impediment that requires focused effort to overcome. When employing this phrase, ensure that it truly reflects the most substantial challenge at hand to maintain clarity and precision in your communication. The high number of examples provided by Ludwig are proof that "main hurdle" is widely accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary obstacle

Focuses on the obstacle being the most important or first one to overcome.

chief difficulty

Emphasizes the troublesome nature of the hurdle, highlighting it as the principal challenge.

major impediment

Highlights the blocking or hindering aspect of the hurdle, indicating it significantly slows progress.

key challenge

Points out the hurdle as a crucial and demanding task or situation that needs to be addressed.

principal barrier

Emphasizes the hurdle as a significant obstruction preventing progress or access.

biggest stumbling block

Focuses on the hurdle as something that causes one to hesitate or make a mistake.

foremost problem

Highlights the hurdle as the most important or urgent issue that needs to be resolved.

central issue

Indicates the hurdle is a core or fundamental matter that needs to be addressed.

critical bottleneck

Emphasizes the hurdle as a point of congestion or obstruction that severely limits progress.

core constraint

Highlights the hurdle as a fundamental limitation or restriction affecting progress or outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "main hurdle" in a sentence?

You can use "main hurdle" to describe the biggest obstacle to overcome in a specific situation. For example, "The "main hurdle" to starting a business is often securing initial funding."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "main hurdle"?

Alternatives to "main hurdle" include "primary obstacle", "key challenge", or "chief difficulty", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "main hurdle" or "biggest challenge"?

Both "main hurdle" and "biggest challenge" are acceptable, but "main hurdle" specifically implies an obstacle that must be overcome to proceed, while "biggest challenge" can refer to any difficult task. Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance of your intended meaning.

What's the difference between a "hurdle" and an "obstacle"?

While often used interchangeably, a "hurdle" implies something to be leaped over or actively addressed, while an "obstacle" can be a more passive obstruction. Therefore, "main hurdle" often suggests a proactive approach to overcoming the primary difficulty.