major block

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major block" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant obstacle or hindrance in a process or situation. Example: "The team faced a major block in their project due to unforeseen technical difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

This is a major block on our diplomatic progress".

The Guardian

Belgrade Waterfront's first major block, a double 20-storey tower called BW Residences, has broken ground.

The Guardian

Once at a dinner party, when I was introducing myself, I hit a major block.

The New York Times

"We were shocked that anyone in this market would let a major block of space slip away".

The New York Times

Valentine concedes that the Pacific Ocean will be a major block to interleague play, but he said, "Eventually they'll have medicine to deal with jet lag".

The New York Times - Sports

Born into a hard-working, law-abiding south London family, Fraser claimed that their lack of criminal connections were a major block to his aspirations.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

The BHC land falls within two major blocks of forest, Mr. Sutherland said.

The New York Times

I did three major blocks of coding on the project and regular design review meetings, which was all I could spare the time for.

The Guardian - Tech

The late initiating faults are spatially associated with the east-striking Baba Markha fault, which was active throughout the rift history, but developed as a transfer fault between major block-bounding fault systems around 6 7 Ma after rift initiation.

Journal of Structural Geology

The democracy pillar of the social democratic developmental state should be anchored on several major blocks.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

The program is divided into five major blocks of calculations: 1. Analysis of the raw data.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major block", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being blocked or hindered, providing specific details for clarity. For instance, specify whether it's a "major block" to progress, development, or a specific process.

Common error

Avoid using "major block" without specifying what it is blocking. For example, instead of saying "The project faced a major block", specify what kind of block it was, such as "The project faced a major block in funding."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major block" functions as a noun phrase, where "major" modifies the noun "block". It typically acts as a subject complement or object within a sentence, denoting something significant hindering progress or action, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

45%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major block" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a significant obstacle or impediment. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its frequent appearance in News & Media and Scientific contexts, demonstrating its versatility across different writing styles. The phrase is considered neutral in register, suitable for both formal and informal settings. Related phrases include "significant obstacle" and "substantial impediment", offering alternative ways to convey a similar meaning. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main obstacle

Specifies that this is the principal difficulty to overcome.

significant obstacle

Focuses on the hindering aspect, emphasizing the importance of the obstacle.

chief impediment

Indicates the most important obstacle.

substantial impediment

Highlights the obstructive nature with a stronger emphasis on difficulty.

considerable obstruction

Highlights the degree to which something blocks progress or visibility.

primary hindrance

Identifies the most important factor that is causing delay or obstruction.

key barrier

Emphasizes the restrictive aspect and acting as a divider or separator.

principal hurdle

Conveys the idea of overcoming a significant challenge.

large-scale impediment

Emphasizes the extent and impact of the obstruction.

significant setback

Indicates a reversal or delay in progress, usually temporary.

FAQs

How can I use "major block" in a sentence?

You can use "major block" to describe a significant obstacle or hindrance. For example, "Lack of funding was a "major block" to the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to "major block"?

You can use alternatives like "significant obstacle", "substantial impediment", or "key barrier", depending on the context.

Is "major block" formal or informal?

"Major block" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings might prefer alternatives like "significant impediment".

What is the difference between "major block" and "minor block"?

"Major block" refers to a substantial obstacle, while "minor block" indicates a smaller, less impactful impediment.