obstructing development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstructing development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is hindering or preventing progress or growth, particularly in areas like economics, technology, or personal growth. Example: "The new regulations are obstructing development in the tech industry, making it difficult for startups to thrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She had campaigned against destructive projects across the country and had been accused of obstructing development by irked politicians.

The Guardian

Plaid AM Llyr Gruffydd said: "At the moment the whole culture around planning in Wales is about blocking, is about obstructing development".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The latest contribution, a report* by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), argues that larger families and fast-growing populations obstruct development and perpetuate poverty by slowing growth and diverting consumption away from the poor.

The Economist

Development can be altered by several factors which can either facilitate or obstruct development.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

"This causes suffering and obstructs development".

Vice

Milito also criticized the Obama administration for using increased regulations on both onshore and offshore drilling operations to "impede and obstruct" development.

Huffington Post

"Calls to streamline the ESA and to rely exclusively on FWS to identify and list species might mean that a significant number of species that deserve legal protection -- especially those that are politically unpopular because of the potential to obstruct development projects -- would be left out in the cold".

Huffington Post

This may also support a biological aetiology; immaturity of the uterus in very young women obstructs development of a term pregnancy and results in premature delivery, as does uterine dysfunction caused by ageing processes in women with advancing age.

BMJ Open

Its Game Rating Board (GRB), with the legal power to ban any game, now risks obstructing the development of an entire industry, one of the country's most vibrant.Graphic games such as Grand Theft Auto III are already off-limits to Korean gamers.

The Economist

Innovation policy can never be fully technology-neutral and policies often align to support incumbent technological regimes obstructing the development of new industries.

European Journal of Futures Research

Nevertheless, a substantive problem which is obstructing space development by humans, in particular flight to Mars, is the early readaptation period to gravity.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obstructing development", ensure the context clearly identifies what is causing the obstruction and the specific type of development being affected. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "obstructing development" as a generic critique. Instead, pinpoint specific actions or policies that hinder progress to make your analysis more persuasive and targeted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstructing development" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun modifier, typically describing something that is actively preventing or hindering progress. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "obstructing development" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes something actively preventing progress. Ludwig's analysis confirms its validity, highlighting its presence in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "impeding development" or "hindering development", the best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey. When using this phrase, avoid generic critiques and instead, pinpoint the specific factors hindering progress to maximize impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impeding development

Synonymous with "obstructing development", but emphasizes a more gradual slowing of progress.

hindering development

Similar to "obstructing", but may imply a less intentional or direct blockage.

hampering development

Suggests making development more difficult, but not necessarily stopping it completely.

blocking development

Indicates a complete stop to the development process.

stifling development

Implies suppressing or restraining development, often through oppressive means.

thwarting development

Suggests actively preventing development from succeeding.

delaying development

Focuses on postponing or prolonging the development process.

inhibiting development

Implies a restraining influence that slows down or prevents development.

curtailing development

Indicates reducing or limiting the scope or extent of development.

restricting development

Suggests placing constraints or limitations on the development process.

FAQs

How can I use "obstructing development" in a sentence?

You can use "obstructing development" to describe something that is hindering progress or growth, such as "The new regulations are "obstructing development" in the tech industry".

What are some alternatives to "obstructing development"?

Alternatives include "impeding development", "hindering development", or "hampering development", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "obstructing development" grammatically correct?

Yes, "obstructing development" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe something that is preventing or slowing down progress.

What's the difference between "obstructing development" and "impeding development"?

"Obstructing development" and "impeding development" are very similar, but "impeding" might suggest a slower, more gradual effect than "obstructing".