obstacle to access

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstacle to access" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that hinders or prevents access to a particular resource, location, or information. Example: "The lack of ramps and elevators created a significant obstacle to access for individuals with mobility challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The highest obstacle to access is usually a lack of money.

The New York Times - Books

In this case, informational opacity between the funder and funded becomes an obstacle to access credit, as innovator entrepreneurs seem to ignore the relevance of all the quantitative information required by the bank (hypothesis H.8 confirmed).

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

It is not an obstacle to access and use.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

It appears that the resource gap that is perceived as the main obstacle to access to drugs is shrinking.

Globalization and Health

Our findings contradict other studies with UMs that showed that language was a main obstacle to access primary healthcare, and often a main barrier to discuss mental health problems with a GP.

BMJ Open

Regarding the underuse of maternal education programs, midwives emphasized the communication difficulties, specifically the language barrier, as an obstacle to access and use of such programs, as previously described by other authors (27, 28).

Global Health Action

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

At issue is the Supreme Court's own unstable abortion doctrine, specifically on where five justices might be willing to draw a line between acceptable and impermissible obstacles to access to abortion.

The New York Times

Bruno Geddo, the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) representative for Somalia, said the 2012 CAP would constitute a "calculated bet" that relief organisations would continue to be able to operate in Somalia despite the al-Shabaab ban and other obstacles to access.

The Guardian

"You have to address obstacles to access to the market through things like infrastructure projects, but at the same time you must ensure that people have the tools they need to trade including access to credit and the information they need".

The Guardian

How do both the opportunities and the barriers or obstacles to access for women compare between the developed and the emerging markets?

Forbes

Minority students often encounter serious obstacles to access higher education such as cultural constraints, poor English skills, fear of taking the Graduate Record Examination, fear of financial debt, lack of family support, and a lack of positive minority role models, among others.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about systemic issues, consider specifying the type of "obstacle" (e.g., financial, legal, logistical) to provide clarity and emphasize the specific challenges faced.

Common error

Avoid using "obstacle to access" as a vague generality. Instead, provide concrete examples of what constitutes the "obstacle" and who or what is being affected. For instance, instead of saying "Lack of funding is an obstacle to access", specify: "The high cost of medication is an obstacle to access to healthcare for low-income patients."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstacle to access" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies something that impedes or prevents entry or availability. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obstacle to access" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe something that hinders entry or availability. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Primarily used in science, news, and formal business contexts, the phrase benefits from specific details about the obstacle and the affected parties. Alternatives such as "barrier to access" and "hindrance to access" offer subtle variations in meaning. When using this phrase, avoid vagueness and strive for concrete examples to enhance clarity and impact. Overall, "obstacle to access" is a reliable phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

barrier to access

Replaces "obstacle" with "barrier", a direct synonym maintaining the same structure and meaning.

hindrance to access

Substitutes "obstacle" with "hindrance", emphasizing the impeding nature of the barrier.

impediment to access

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment", suggesting a more formal or significant obstruction.

difficulty in accessing

Changes the structure to focus on the difficulty experienced when trying to gain access.

challenge to access

Replaces "obstacle" with "challenge", framing the situation as something that needs to be overcome.

roadblock to access

Substitutes "obstacle" with "roadblock", creating a visual image of an obstruction on a path.

barrier to entry

Focuses on the act of entering, implying a specific point where access is restricted.

restriction on access

Shifts the focus to the limitation imposed on access, rather than the object causing it.

limitation on gaining access

Emphasizes the act of gaining access and the limitations that exist.

encumbrance to access

Replaces "obstacle" with "encumbrance", implying a burden or something that weighs down the ability to access.

FAQs

What are common synonyms for "obstacle to access"?

Common synonyms include "barrier to access", "hindrance to access", or "impediment to access". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "obstacle to access" formal or informal?

The phrase "obstacle to access" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

How can I make my writing more specific when using "obstacle to access"?

To enhance specificity, identify the particular type of obstacle (e.g., financial, geographical, technological) and the specific group or resource affected. Instead of just saying "There's an obstacle to access", you could say "High tuition fees are a significant obstacle to access to higher education for students from low-income families".

What is the difference between "obstacle to access" and "barrier to access"?

The terms "obstacle to access" and "barrier to access" are largely interchangeable. While "obstacle" might suggest something that can potentially be overcome with effort, "barrier" can imply a more absolute or insurmountable impediment. However, in most contexts, the difference is negligible.