obstruct progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstruct progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or situations that hinder or impede advancement or development in a particular context. Example: "The new regulations may obstruct progress in the renewable energy sector, making it harder for companies to innovate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Assembly Leader Sheldon Silver certainly knows how to obstruct progress; congestion pricing was an example.

The New York Times

It is refreshing and challenging to see an article pointing out how environmentalists actually obstruct progress toward sustainability.

University of California, Berkeley

After that Britain continued to obstruct progress, giving other member governments the opportunity to hide their negotiating difficulties behind British intransigence.

The Economist

At the start of the CSW57, Michelle Bachelet made very clear that despite sensitivities, culture and tradition should not be used to obstruct progress in this field.

The Guardian

Yet when Group of 8 leaders met in Genoa, Italy, two weeks ago, they chastised protesters with warnings that they would only obstruct progress for the poor.

The New York Times

But on that issue, as Copenhagen revealed, China is not the self-touted rising superpower but a scheming power that uses poor states as a front to obstruct progress through procedural wrangling.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He blames Cyprus for obstructing progress.

The Economist

Kevin Rudd also obstructed progress during his prime ministerships, also to belatedly change his view.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whenever a timid ignorance obstructs progress, the loss is all of ours.

The Economist

Meanwhile, researchers advance the argument that the current United Nations structure for negotiations obstructs progress.

The New York Times

Veterans have obstructed progress in other locales such as the Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obstruct progress", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Obstruct" implies a more active or intentional blocking than alternatives like "delay" or "hinder".

Common error

Avoid using "obstruct progress" when the action is unintentional or indirect. Instead, opt for words like "hinder" or "slow" if the action wasn't meant to halt progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstruct progress" functions as a verb phrase where "obstruct" is the verb and "progress" is the noun acting as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obstruct progress" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe the act of hindering or preventing advancement. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and appropriateness for use in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, it carries a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, it's important to consider the level of intent being conveyed; "obstruct" implies a more active blocking than merely slowing down progress. Alternatives like "hinder advancement" or "impede development" may be more appropriate in certain scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hinder advancement

Replaces "obstruct" with "hinder" and "progress" with "advancement", offering a more general term for forward movement.

impede development

Substitutes "obstruct" with "impede" and "progress" with "development", focusing on the growth or evolution aspect.

stall advancement

Uses "stall" to indicate a slowing or halting of advancement, suggesting a temporary obstruction.

thwart forward movement

Replaces "obstruct" with "thwart", emphasizing the prevention of forward motion.

inhibit progression

Uses "inhibit" to imply a restraint on progression, often in a more controlled or systematic manner.

delay advancement

Focuses specifically on causing a delay in advancement rather than a complete obstruction.

retard growth

Emphasizes the slowing down of growth, often used in biological or developmental contexts.

hamper development

Similar to impede, but suggests a more clumsy or awkward obstruction to development.

stifle progress

Implies a suppression or suffocation of progress, suggesting a more forceful obstruction.

block advancement

Directly indicates the creation of a barrier that prevents advancement.

FAQs

How to use "obstruct progress" in a sentence?

You can use "obstruct progress" to describe actions or policies that actively prevent advancement or development. For example, "Bureaucratic red tape can "obstruct progress" in implementing new technologies."

What can I say instead of "obstruct progress"?

You can use alternatives like "hinder advancement", "impede development", or "stall advancement" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "obstruct progress" or "obstructing progress"?

"Obstruct progress" is a general statement, while "obstructing progress" is a gerund phrase that describes the act of obstructing. For example, "Their actions are "obstructing progress"."

What's the difference between "obstruct progress" and "delay progress"?

"Obstruct progress" implies a complete or significant blockage, while "delay progress" suggests a temporary postponement or slowing down. The former is a stronger, more definitive impediment.