obstructing the passage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstructing the passage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is blocking or hindering movement through a space or route. Example: "The fallen tree was obstructing the passage, making it difficult for hikers to continue on the trail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The looters narrative was used to justify suspending rescue attempts while simultaneously obstructing the passage of survivors from New Orleans, the better to build up forces to impose martial law on the city's luckless captive inhabitants.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nowhere but obstructing the passage of any meaningful legislation that could have fixed our broken immigration system.

Huffington Post

WASHINGTON -- Two prominent old-line Senate Republicans threw down the gauntlet to their more conversative colleagues on Tuesday, challenging them to stop obstructing the passage of a budget.

Huffington Post

To fulfil its role as a safeguard against any parliamentary or executive propensity to majoritarian or sectarian politics, it may constrict the Government's freedom to discriminate against racial and religious communities by obstructing the passage of new laws and regulations that it deems to contain such "differentiating measures".

Wikipedia

The positive charges formed by the helical dipoles of HB and HE are focused on the NPA motifs, thereby effectively obstructing the passage of protons by means of electrostatic repulsion [ 7].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

As the womb opened and dilated to allow the birth of the child, the omentum with its great store of fat acted as an opposing force, pressing down to shut it again, so obstructing the passage of the child out of its mother's body.

Historical Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

When you obstruct the passage of a white van, you are often preventing the driver traveling freely on what he perceives to be his road".

The New York Times

U.S. (1895) affirmed a sentence of two years' imprisonment for conviction of conspiracy to obstruct the passage of the mails, although the maximum sentence for the crime of obstructing the mails itself would have been a fine only, not to exceed $100.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By virtue of its location and stupendous height, the Great Himalaya Range obstructs the passage of cold continental air from the north into India in winter and also forces the southwesterly monsoon (rain-bearing) winds to give up most of their moisture before crossing the range northward.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a similar manner, the "oily-spaghetti" model (Macara 2001) postulates that noninteracting FG-domains are pushed aside by cargo complexes but otherwise obstruct the passage of passive cargo (Fig.  4d).

Histochemistry and Cell Biology

The second perspective explicitly considers the inter-FG repeat contacts, which obstruct the passage for inert material, but transiently and locally melt when an NTR binds the corresponding FG motifs.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obstructing the passage", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being blocked, whether it's a physical space, a process, or a metaphorical pathway.

Common error

Avoid using "obstructing the passage" when a simpler term like "blocking" or "hindering" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstructing the passage" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes the act of blocking or hindering movement or progress, as seen in Ludwig's examples, where it refers to physical obstructions and legislative processes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obstructing the passage" functions as a gerund phrase describing the act of impeding movement or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability across various contexts. While not exceedingly common, the phrase finds usage in News & Media, Scientific, and Wiki sources. Alternatives such as "blocking the way" or "impeding movement" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis. When employing this phrase, clarity and context are essential to effectively convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obstructing movement

Keeps "obstructing" but uses "movement" instead of "passage", which is a more general term.

impeding passage

A more formal variation, using "impeding" instead of "obstructing".

blocking the way

Replaces "obstructing" with "blocking" and "passage" with "way", emphasizing a physical barrier.

barring the way

Uses "barring" to suggest a more forceful or absolute obstruction.

impeding movement

Substitutes "obstructing" with "impeding" and "passage" with "movement", focusing on hindering motion.

blocking access

Similar to blocking the way, but emphasizes the prevention of access to a specific location or resource.

preventing access

Focuses on the action of preventing rather than the state of obstruction.

hindering progress

Replaces the entire phrase with a focus on slowing down progress rather than physical movement.

restricting movement

Emphasizes limiting or controlling movement, rather than completely stopping it.

disrupting traffic

Focuses specifically on the obstruction of traffic flow.

FAQs

How can I use "obstructing the passage" in a sentence?

You can use "obstructing the passage" to describe something that is blocking movement or progress. For example, "The fallen tree was obstructing the passage on the hiking trail."

What are some alternatives to "obstructing the passage"?

Some alternatives include "blocking the way", "impeding movement", or "hindering progress".

Is it better to use "obstructing the passage" or "blocking the passage"?

"Obstructing the passage" and "blocking the passage" are quite similar. "Obstructing" can sound more formal, while "blocking" is generally more direct and common. The best choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

In what contexts is "obstructing the passage" most appropriate?

"Obstructing the passage" is suitable in both literal (physical barriers) and figurative (hindering progress) contexts. It's often used in formal writing or when emphasizing the act of impeding movement.