major constraint

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major constraint" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a significant limitation or restriction that affects a situation or decision-making process. Example: "The budget is a major constraint that we need to consider when planning the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Money is another major constraint.

The Guardian

"It's a major constraint on our growth".

The New York Times

One important caveat: sample size is a major constraint.

The New York Times

"Our lack of knowledge of saola biology is a major constraint to efforts to conserve it.

The Guardian

"We still think that weak bank lending will be a major constraint on the economic recovery".

The Guardian - Business

"The costs of these arrangements are applying a major constraint on the expansion of universities.

The Guardian - Money

And the lack of resources is a major constraint in treating those ailments.

The New York Times

Narrow bandwidth is a major constraint of microstrip antennas.

Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal

Soil salinity is a major constraint to agriculture.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology

de Bary is a major constraint to potato production worldwide.

Physiological and Molecular Plant Pathology

Insect pests are a major constraint to chickpea production.

Crop Protection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "major constraint", clearly define what is being constrained and the impact of this limitation. This provides context and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "major constraint" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the limitation genuinely has a significant impact on the outcome or process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major constraint" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something significant that limits or restricts a process, activity, or outcome, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major constraint" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant limitation or restriction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's frequently used across various contexts like news, science, and formal communications. To ensure effective communication, clearly define what's being limited and the impact of that limitation. Avoid overusing it for minor issues and consider alternatives like "key limitation" or "primary obstacle" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key limitation

Substitutes "major" with "key", highlighting the importance of the limitation.

critical restriction

Emphasizes the limiting nature of the constraint with "restriction" and highlights its importance using "critical".

significant impediment

Replaces "constraint" with "impediment" and "major" with "significant", emphasizing the hindering aspect.

substantial barrier

Employs "barrier" to represent an obstacle and "substantial" to indicate its considerable impact.

primary obstacle

Replaces "constraint" with "obstacle", focusing on the hindering aspect, and "major" with "primary", denoting importance.

notable hindrance

Replaces "constraint" with "hindrance", focusing on the delaying effect, and uses "notable" instead of "major".

chief impediment

Replaces "constraint" with "impediment" and "major" with "chief", highlighting its primary importance.

serious encumbrance

Uses "encumbrance" to convey a burden or impediment, similar to a constraint, and "serious" to denote its significance.

significant challenge

Replaces "constraint" with "challenge", framing it as a difficulty to overcome, and "major" with "significant".

principal difficulty

Employs "difficulty" to represent a problem and "principal" to indicate its main status.

FAQs

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

You can use "major constraint" to describe a significant limitation or restriction. For example: "Lack of funding is a "major constraint" on the project's progress."

What are some alternatives to saying "major constraint"?

Alternatives include "significant impediment", "key limitation", or "primary obstacle", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "major constraint" or "significant limitation"?

"Major constraint" and "significant limitation" are largely interchangeable. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey and the surrounding wording.

What's the difference between a "major constraint" and a "minor constraint"?

A "major constraint" represents a substantial limitation that significantly impacts progress or outcomes, while a "minor constraint" is a less impactful limitation that can be more easily overcome or managed.