make an obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make an obstacle" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where someone is creating or causing a hindrance or barrier to something. Example: "His actions seemed to make an obstacle in the progress of the project."

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"No one can stop the broadcast of television, and no one can make an obstacle for giving information to the people of Afghanistan," he added.

The New York Times

Make an obstacle course.

WikiHow

Make an obstacle course with various objects.

WikiHow

Make an obstacle course (hurdles, tunnels, ropes, etc).

WikiHow

Make an obstacle course, and an amount of time that it must take to finish it.

WikiHow

If you make an obstacle to users getting to your information, they will leave.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

When a domain has a boundary, pressure term makes an obstacle since we do not have enough information on the pressure term near the boundary.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Because the supersaturation plays a key role in the morphology of final products in vapor synthesis, the products with different shape were often obtained at different temperature zone of the same substrate, which made an obstacle to separate and collect of the products with single shape.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Guinea pigs like a challenge, so try making an obstacle course or maze out of cardboard.

WikiHow

The company is also partnering with Panoptes, which makes an obstacle-avoidance system for many popular drones, to offer similar discounts to students and schools (though the Panoptes' system only works with 3DR's older Iris+ model and not its more advanced Solo drone).

TechCrunch

These differences might make a major obstacle to the comparison between these results in structural networks.

Brain Informatics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make an obstacle", consider whether a more common synonym like "create a barrier" or "pose a challenge" might sound more natural and be better understood by your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "make an obstacle" in formal contexts such as academic papers or business reports. It can sound awkward or less professional than alternatives like "present a challenge" or "create an impediment". Choose vocabulary that aligns with the formality of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an obstacle" functions as a verb phrase where "make" acts as a causative verb, indicating the act of bringing an obstacle into existence. Ludwig AI notes it is grammatically acceptable but may be less common than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

29%

News & Media

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make an obstacle" is grammatically acceptable but not the most common or elegant choice in many contexts. Ludwig AI suggests that while understood, it may sound slightly awkward. Its usage spans across various domains, including Wiki, News & Media, and Science, but it's less common in formal business or academic settings. For more polished and impactful writing, consider using alternatives such as "create a barrier" or "pose a challenge". Always assess the register of your writing to ensure your word choices align with the intended tone and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

create an impediment

Replaces "make" with "create" and "obstacle" with "impediment", both providing a more formal tone.

pose a barrier

Uses "pose" instead of "make" and "barrier" instead of "obstacle", suggesting a more formal or official creation of a hindrance.

form a hindrance

Similar to "create an impediment" but with slightly less formality, using "hindrance" as a synonym for obstacle.

present a challenge

Replaces "obstacle" with "challenge", softening the negative connotation to suggest something that needs to be overcome.

generate difficulties

Highlights the act of causing problems or hardships.

set a stumbling block

Emphasizes the effect of the obstacle causing someone to falter or fail.

throw up a roadblock

Implies a sudden and unexpected obstacle, often in a figurative sense.

obstruct the path

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical blocking of progress.

lay a trap

Suggests a deliberate and often hidden obstacle designed to cause harm or difficulty.

complicate matters

Shifts the focus to the increase in complexity resulting from the obstacle.

FAQs

How can I use "make an obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "make an obstacle" to describe creating a hindrance or barrier. For example: "His lack of communication seemed to "make an obstacle" to the project's progress."

What can I say instead of "make an obstacle"?

Alternatives to "make an obstacle" include "create a barrier", "pose a challenge", or "present a difficulty", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "make an obstacle" grammatically correct?

Yes, "make an obstacle" is grammatically correct, but it might not be the most elegant or common choice. Alternatives may sound more natural to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "make an obstacle" and "overcome an obstacle"?

"Make an obstacle" refers to the act of creating or presenting a barrier, while "overcome an obstacle" refers to successfully dealing with or surpassing a barrier that already exists.