obstacle to action

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstacle to action" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that prevents or hinders someone from taking action or making progress. Example: "Fear can often be an obstacle to action, preventing individuals from pursuing their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The main obstacle to action was profit.

The Guardian

If a divided Security Council becomes an obstacle to action, he will bypass it.

The Economist

Asked if the Brexit vote would become an obstacle to action on climate change, she said: "No.

The Guardian

"Yelling 'Fire' on a Hot Planet" (Week in Review, April 23) argues that American attitudes toward global warming present a nearly insurmountable obstacle to action.

The New York Times

The pending court decision is also an obstacle to action by the European Central Bank to hold down borrowing costs for Spain and Italy.

The New York Times

The biggest obstacle to action on climate remains, as it has been for more than 20 years, the US political system.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Yes, there are huge political obstacles to action — notably, the fact that the House is controlled by a party that benefits from the economy's weakness.

The New York Times

Obstacles to Action A comprehensive health care overhaul in the United States, which has eluded Democratic presidents since Harry S. Truman, also poses immense challenges.

The New York Times

Academics meeting in Bristol at the weekend for Britain's first conference on the psychology of climate change argued that the greatest obstacles to action are not technical, economic or political — they are the denial strategies that we adopt to protect ourselves from unwelcome information.

The Guardian

What happens if you do nothing?" Choice is stressed, and there is discussion of the potential obstacles to action for each action option.

BMC Oral Health

There were many potential strengths and resources in the community: people did have high levels of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge, despite the existence of potential obstacles to actioning this.

AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obstacle to action", ensure the context clearly identifies what specific action is being hindered. This provides clarity and strengthens the overall message.

Common error

Avoid using "obstacle to action" without specifying the type of action. For example, instead of saying "bureaucracy is an obstacle to action", specify "bureaucracy is an obstacle to swift regulatory action" for more precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstacle to action" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement, direct object, or prepositional complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI examples showcase its usage in describing barriers that impede or prevent specific activities. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI's validation of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obstacle to action" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe something that hinders or prevents a particular action. As identified by Ludwig, it functions as a noun phrase and serves to highlight barriers across diverse domains. Its usage is most common in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, specificity is key, clarifying which action is being impeded. Alternatives such as "barrier to action" or "impediment to progress" can be used to add nuance. Ultimately, this phrase is a valuable tool for clearly articulating challenges that stand in the way of progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hindrance to activity

Highlights the obstruction of ongoing activity, differing slightly in emphasis.

impediment to progress

Focuses on hindering forward movement or development, emphasizing the result rather than the act.

barrier to implementation

Specifically refers to difficulties in putting a plan or decision into effect, more specific context.

roadblock to progress

Suggests a complete halt or stoppage in advancement.

constraint on undertaking

Implies a limitation or restriction on starting or performing a task.

deterrent to intervention

Emphasizes something that discourages or prevents interference or involvement.

challenge to initiative

Highlights the difficulty faced when starting something new.

difficulty in execution

Points to problems encountered while carrying out a plan or task.

setback to movement

Indicates a temporary delay or reversal in advancement.

restraint on performance

Refers to something that limits or controls how well something is done.

FAQs

How can I use "obstacle to action" in a sentence?

You can use "obstacle to action" to describe something that prevents or hinders someone from taking action. For example: "The main obstacle to action was profit."

What can I say instead of "obstacle to action"?

You can use alternatives like "barrier to action", "hindrance to activity", or "impediment to progress" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "obstacle to action" or "obstacles to action"?

Both "obstacle to action" and "obstacles to action" are correct, depending on whether you are referring to a single obstacle or multiple obstacles.

What's the difference between "obstacle to action" and "challenge to action"?

"Obstacle to action" implies something that prevents or hinders action, while "challenge to action" suggests something that requires effort or skill to overcome in order to take action. A challenge is not necessarily prohibitive, while an obstacle typically is.