numerous obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "numerous obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation or challenge that involves many difficulties or barriers to overcome. Example: "The project faced numerous obstacles, including budget constraints and staffing issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But it also highlighted numerous obstacles.

The Economist

But that case met numerous obstacles.

The New York Times

But numerous obstacles must be overcome.

The New York Times

The recount has plowed through numerous obstacles.

The Guardian

To get it, they must overcome numerous obstacles.

The Guardian

Victims' families face numerous obstacles in their fight for truth and justice.

The Guardian

But some political experts said a new vote might meet numerous obstacles.

The New York Times

"We accomplished quite a bit, despite overcoming numerous obstacles during the past few years".

The New York Times - Sports

Instead the report concentrates on the removal of numerous obstacles faced by city developers.

The Economist

The competitors then ran into numerous obstacles that nature had strewn on the course.

The Economist

Instead, his task will be to barge through the numerous obstacles to the Olympic plan.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "numerous obstacles", ensure that the context clearly defines what these obstacles are or at least implies their nature. This provides clarity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "numerous obstacles" as a vague placeholder. Always strive to provide context or examples of the obstacles to enhance the reader's understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "numerous obstacles" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject complement. As shown by Ludwig, it often appears after verbs like 'face', 'overcome', or 'encounter', describing the difficulties encountered in a given situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "numerous obstacles" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe situations involving many difficulties. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows it to fit seamlessly into news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, providing context or examples of the obstacles enhances clarity and impact. Remember to avoid vague usage and consider alternatives like "many challenges" or "various impediments" for variety. By being mindful of these points, you can effectively use "numerous obstacles" to enrich your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many challenges

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same idea of multiple difficulties.

a multitude of difficulties

This phrase emphasizes the great number of difficulties involved.

a series of hurdles

This alternative uses "hurdles" as a metaphor for obstacles, suggesting a sequence of challenges.

various impediments

This option uses a more formal word ("impediments") to describe the obstacles.

several setbacks

This phrase focuses on the idea of events that delay or prevent progress.

countless barriers

This emphasizes the extremely high number of obstacles.

substantial difficulties

This option emphasizes the size or significance of the difficulties.

considerable challenges

This highlights the magnitude and importance of the challenges.

a host of problems

This uses "host" to indicate a large number of problems acting as obstacles.

innumerable hurdles

Similar to countless barriers, this highlights an extremely high number of hurdles.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "numerous obstacles" in a sentence?

To effectively use "numerous obstacles", ensure the sentence clearly conveys what these obstacles are, either explicitly or implicitly, to provide context and enhance clarity. For instance, "The project faced "numerous obstacles", including funding shortages and logistical issues" offers more impact than just stating "The project faced "numerous obstacles"".

What are some alternatives to using "numerous obstacles"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "many challenges", "a multitude of difficulties", or "several setbacks" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to list the obstacles after mentioning "numerous obstacles"?

Listing specific obstacles after stating ""numerous obstacles"" provides clarity and strength to your writing. For example, "The endeavor faced "numerous obstacles", such as regulatory delays, budget constraints, and unforeseen technical complications".

What is the difference between "numerous obstacles" and "insurmountable obstacles"?

"Numerous obstacles" simply means there are many challenges. "Insurmountable obstacles" implies the challenges are so great they cannot be overcome. The latter suggests a situation is hopeless.