main impediment

USAGE SUMMARY

"main impediment" is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to the primary obstacle or hindrance in a situation or task. Example: "The lack of funding was the main impediment to completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The main impediment is money.

The New York Times

The main impediment to graduation: freshman math.

The New York Times

No doubt up-and-down markets are the main impediment.

The Guardian - Business

The main impediment was an undereducated work force.

The New York Times

Taublieb said cultural differences have been the main impediment.

The New York Times - Sports

The main impediment is a lack of transit access.

The New York Times

The main impediment to a deal now, they say, is more psychological than substantive.

The New York Times

Valuations of its mortgage holdings were the main impediment to a merger, he speculated.

The New York Times

The main impediment to past efficiency efforts has been a lack of funds.

The Guardian

Obamacare is his Communism, a conspiracy that is the main impediment to economic growth.

The New Yorker

But the main impediment is that only eight states are prepared to support the bid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "main impediment", ensure that it clearly identifies the most significant obstacle, as opposed to secondary or less important ones. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid labeling something as the "main impediment" if it's only one of several equally significant factors. Overstating the importance can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "main impediment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies the primary obstacle hindering progress or achievement. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in identifying significant barriers across diverse fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "main impediment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that identifies the most significant obstacle in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts, as seen in the numerous examples provided. Its usage is most common in news, scientific, and formal business settings. When writing, be mindful to accurately identify the most significant barrier, avoiding overstatement. Alternatives like "primary obstacle" and "chief hindrance" offer similar meanings. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "main impediment" to add clarity and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary obstacle

Replaces "impediment" with "obstacle" while keeping "main" to denote the most significant hindrance.

chief hindrance

Substitutes "main" with "chief" and "impediment" with "hindrance", both synonyms that maintain the original meaning.

principal barrier

Uses "principal" instead of "main" and "barrier" instead of "impediment", both suggesting a major obstruction.

key obstacle

Replaces "main" with "key", indicating a crucial or essential hindrance.

major stumbling block

Employs a more figurative expression, suggesting a significant difficulty that impedes progress.

biggest challenge

Shifts the focus slightly towards the difficulty posed by the impediment, emphasizing the challenge it presents.

foremost deterrent

Highlights the aspect of prevention or discouragement that the impediment creates.

greatest difficulty

Focuses on the level of trouble or hardship caused by the impediment.

central bottleneck

Uses a more technical term, suggesting a point of congestion that restricts flow or progress.

fundamental issue

Indicates that the impediment is a basic or foundational problem underlying other difficulties.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "main impediment"?

You can use alternatives like "primary obstacle", "chief hindrance", or "principal barrier" depending on the context.

How do I use "main impediment" in a sentence?

Use "main impediment" to identify the most significant obstacle preventing progress or success. For example, "The lack of funding is the main impediment to completing the project".

What is the difference between "main impediment" and "major challenge"?

"Main impediment" specifically refers to a barrier blocking progress, while "major challenge" implies a difficult task or situation. The former is a blockage, the latter is a demanding situation that requires efforts in order to be addressed.

Is "main impediment" the same as "main problem"?

While related, "main impediment" focuses on the obstruction to achieving a goal, whereas "main problem" refers more broadly to the central issue causing difficulty. For example: the main impediment to the product launch was the supply chain while the main problem of the product was its poor design.