obstacles to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstacles to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe barriers or challenges that prevent progress or achievement in a particular context. Example: "There are several obstacles to achieving our goals this quarter, including budget constraints and staffing issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Undoubtedly, significant obstacles to sustained growth remain.

The New York Times

Still, the obstacles to efficiency are many.

The New York Times

The obstacles to growth are huge.

The Economist

There are also obstacles to reform.

The Economist

Are there any other obstacles to expansion?

Independent

There were many obstacles to overcome.

Independent

However, there are still obstacles to overcome.

Independent

Dyslexia presents real obstacles to these students.

The New York Times

There are practical obstacles to a tax.

The New York Times

There are many obstacles to its realisation.

The Economist

Obstacles to complete fulfillment remained, naturally.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obstacles to", clearly define what specific action or goal is being hindered. For example, instead of saying "obstacles to success", specify "obstacles to market entry" or "obstacles to project completion".

Common error

Avoid using "obstacles to" without a clear object. For instance, "There are obstacles" is less effective than "There are obstacles to implementing the new policy". Always specify what the obstacles are affecting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstacles to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It indicates something that hinders or prevents progress towards a specific goal or objective. The Ludwig AI examples show this phrase used in various contexts like "obstacles to growth" or "obstacles to reform".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obstacles to" is a commonly used prepositional phrase that serves to identify barriers hindering progress toward a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and versatile, appearing frequently in news, scientific literature, and business contexts. While generally neutral to formal, its effectiveness lies in clearly defining the action or goal being impeded. When using "obstacles to", specify what the impediment affects for clarity. Alternatives such as ""barriers to"" or ""impediments to"" offer nuanced options for expressing similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impediments to

Formal synonym highlighting barriers or hindrances.

hindrances to

Focuses on things that delay or prevent something.

barriers to

Emphasizes obstructions that make progress difficult.

challenges to

Highlights difficult tasks or problems.

difficulties in

Focuses on the problems encountered when doing something.

roadblocks to

Metaphorically describes things that stop progress.

complications with

Indicates factors that make something more complex or difficult.

setbacks in

Focuses on temporary impediments to progress.

constraints on

Highlights limitations that restrict progress.

bottlenecks in

Emphasizes points of congestion or blockage.

FAQs

How do I use "obstacles to" in a sentence?

Use "obstacles to" to describe barriers or challenges preventing progress or achievement. For example: "There are significant "obstacles to growth" in the region."

What are some alternatives to saying "obstacles to"?

Alternatives include "barriers to", "impediments to", or "challenges to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "obstacles to" or "challenges for"?

"Obstacles to" typically refers to something that blocks or hinders progress towards a goal, while "challenges for" refers to difficult tasks or problems that need to be overcome. Use "obstacles to" when referring to barriers, and "challenges for" when describing difficult tasks.

What kind of words usually follow "obstacles to"?

Typically, "obstacles to" is followed by a noun or gerund (verb ending in -ing) that represents the action or goal being impeded. For example: "obstacles to success", "obstacles to understanding", or "obstacles to implementing the plan".