met obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "met obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing challenges or difficulties encountered in a process or situation. Example: "During the project, we met obstacles that delayed our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The diminutive left-back met obstacles throughout his career.

The Guardian - Sport

And so on every front the revolution has met obstacles.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then again, the law has often met obstacles that appeared insurmountable, before soon surmounting them.

The Economist

Their march has met obstacles including suicide bombers, dug-in Isis snipers and roadside bombs.

The Guardian

Puccini's fourth opera met obstacles on its way to the stage.

Britannica

But there, too, the government has met obstacles, including a military judge's decision that banned prosecutors from using Mr. Jawad's statements to interrogators.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

However, the reform is expected to meet obstacles.

The Economist

"Even in death, Arsenio continues to meet obstacles," Mr. Mendez said.

The New York Times

When advocacy networks meet obstacles at the domestic level, they may expand their efforts to the regional or international level.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Any new outbreak of American (or European) protectionism would of course give East Asia's efforts an extra push.Wasn't Monnet a painter?Yet those efforts are also meeting obstacles.

The Economist

Based on the biomedical scientists' limited receptiveness, we can anticipate that the growth of the social sciences will continue to meet obstacles within the health research field in the near future in Canada.

Social Science & Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project's progress, use "met obstacles" to acknowledge challenges encountered, providing context for potential delays or adjustments. This adds transparency and demonstrates realistic project management.

Common error

Avoid phrasing like "Obstacles were met by the team." Instead, use the active voice: "The team met obstacles." This makes the writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "met obstacles" functions as a verb phrase indicating the experience of encountering challenges or difficulties. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage in English. The verb "met" takes "obstacles" as its direct object.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "met obstacles" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe encountering difficulties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and appears across various contexts, including news reports, scientific articles, and encyclopedic entries. While generally neutral in register, it adds valuable transparency when detailing challenges faced during projects or processes. When writing, be aware of the potential for passive voice and strive for a direct, active voice for a more engaging message. Related phrases like "encountered challenges" or "faced difficulties" can serve as suitable alternatives. Ultimately, understanding the appropriate use of "met obstacles" enhances the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered challenges

Emphasizes the process of facing difficulties, similar to "met obstacles".

faced difficulties

Focuses on the act of confronting hardships, aligning with the meaning of "met obstacles".

ran into problems

Indicates an unexpected encounter with issues, akin to "met obstacles".

experienced setbacks

Highlights the occurrence of delays or hindrances, similar to "met obstacles".

confronted hurdles

Stresses the need to overcome barriers, akin to the challenges implied by "met obstacles".

came up against barriers

Highlights the act of facing obstructions, similar to "met obstacles".

was up against impediments

Uses a more formal tone to convey the presence of hindrances, akin to "met obstacles".

grappled with difficulties

Highlights the struggle to deal with difficult situations, similar to "met obstacles".

contended with challenges

Emphasizes active engagement with problematic situations, akin to "met obstacles".

navigated complexities

Focuses on finding a path through complicated issues, suggesting the overcoming of "met obstacles".

FAQs

What can I say instead of "met obstacles"?

You can use alternatives like "encountered challenges", "faced difficulties", or "ran into problems" depending on the context.

How to use "met obstacles" in a sentence?

You can use "met obstacles" to describe challenges encountered during a project or process. For example: "The project met obstacles due to unforeseen circumstances."

Which is correct, "met obstacles" or "encountered with obstacles"?

"Met obstacles" is the correct and more concise phrasing. "Encountered with obstacles" is redundant; use "encountered obstacles" instead.

What's the difference between "met obstacles" and "overcame obstacles"?

"Met obstacles" indicates encountering challenges, while "overcame obstacles" implies successfully resolving those challenges. The latter suggests a positive outcome after facing difficulties.