obstruct the prospect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstruct the prospect" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where one is discussing hindrances to future opportunities or outcomes. Example: "The new regulations may obstruct the prospect of growth for small businesses in the area."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This is a land with finely-honed Nimby — "not in my backyard" — reflexes, where planners spend months, or years, seeking to overcome objections to all manner of new development by those living nearby: The new structure will block "ancient light"; it will strain amenities; overload parking facilities; change a neighborhood's character; obstruct the prospect of a church spire.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The big rear wing can obstruct the view.

The New York Times

There are no pillars or posts to obstruct the view.

The New York Times

16, 16, C, 11: amotusque post triumphum abdicatione dictaturae terror et linguam et animos liberaverat hominum, Liv. 6, 16, 8: (debitores) capitis deminutione liberantur, i. e. 3. Templa liberata, freed from buildings that obstructed the view, i. e. having a free prospect, Cic.

Harvard University

What obstructed the view, and could it be adjusted?

The New York Times - Books

Fire escapes had window grates, obstructing the view.

The New York Times

A circus parade obstructing the view.

Vice

No posts obstruct the fans' view.

The New York Times - Sports

Will I obstruct the landscape?

The New Yorker

He says Labour will obstruct the government.

The Guardian

"It wasn't designed to obstruct the deliberative process".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly identifies what is causing the obstruction and what specific prospect is being affected. Clarity enhances the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "obstruct the prospect" when a simpler term like "hinder the progress" or "delay the plan" would be more appropriate. "Prospect" implies a future outlook or potential, not merely current actions. Consider if the obstruction truly affects long-term possibilities or just immediate tasks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstruct the prospect" functions as a verb phrase acting upon a noun phrase. The verb "obstruct" indicates an action of blocking or hindering, while "the prospect" serves as the object, representing a future possibility or opportunity. Ludwig AI suggests this usage is acceptable, although not very common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

25%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obstruct the prospect" is a grammatically acceptable, although infrequent, phrase used to describe the act of hindering or preventing a future possibility. While Ludwig AI marks the usage as acceptable, it's a relatively rare expression, mostly found in News & Media and academic contexts. Alternatives such as "impede the potential" or "hinder the opportunity" might be more common in certain situations. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in defining what is causing the obstruction and what prospect is being affected to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impede the potential

Focuses on hindering inherent abilities or possibilities rather than a specific future outlook.

hinder the opportunity

Emphasizes the obstruction of a chance or occasion, rather than a broader outlook.

block the possibility

Highlights the prevention of a potential event or situation.

thwart the anticipation

Concentrates on stopping the feeling of expectation or excitement about something.

derail the expectation

Indicates a sudden change in direction, causing the prospect not to be fulfilled.

stifle the hope

Focuses on suppressing a feeling of optimism or desire.

hamper the likelihood

Highlights the negative impact on the probability of something occurring.

obviate the need

Focuses on removing the necessity or requirement for a prospect, rather than obstructing it.

preclude the vision

Emphasizes the impossibility of a future scenario due to current circumstances.

compromise the outlook

Indicates a negative impact or weakening of the future prospect, rather than a complete blockage.

FAQs

How can I use "obstruct the prospect" in a sentence?

You can use "obstruct the prospect" when you want to express that something is preventing a future opportunity or possibility. For example, "The new regulations may obstruct the prospect of growth for small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "obstruct the prospect"?

Some alternatives to "obstruct the prospect" include "impede the potential", "hinder the opportunity", or "block the possibility", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "obstruct the prospect" instead of "delay the plan"?

"Obstruct the prospect" is suitable when discussing long-term potential or future outlooks that are being significantly hindered. "Delay the plan" is more appropriate when referring to a temporary postponement of an immediate or specific action.

Is "obstruct the prospect" a formal or informal phrase?

"Obstruct the prospect" is generally considered a more formal phrase, better suited for professional writing or academic discussions than casual conversation. Simpler terms might be preferred in informal contexts.