obstructs

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "obstructs" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something or someone has blocked progress toward a goal. For example: "The heavy snowfall obstructs the progress of the construction crew."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This is Cambodia, but it could be anywhere in the developing world, because Suan and her family are trapped in an all too ubiquitous cycle: they are ensnared in a vicious circle in which poverty obstructs education, creating illiteracy and a lack of skills which, in turn, perpetuate poverty and so on ceaselessly until some external factor disrupts this pattern.

The Guardian

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

The Economist

One proposes that the pore closes when a plug shaped like a ball and chain obstructs the hole.

The Economist

In this case, "public use" became something like "economic benefit": private property may be taken if it obstructs a community's development.New London did not use a blight designation.

The Economist

The anaphylactic shock provoked is always nasty and can, if the swelling obstructs someone's airways, kill.Youngsters who have peanut allergy, and their parents, may therefore be interested in a study by Andrew Clark and Pamela Ewan of Cambridge University Hospitals, which is reported in this week's Lancet.

The Economist

"Whoever obstructs Hong Kong's decision will be branded a villain of history," read one deleted post.

The Economist

Worse still, not only is Germany unable to cut interest rates, but the EU's stability and growth pact also obstructs any fiscal easing.

The Economist

He obstructs America's foreign policy, sells arms to its enemies and cosies up to its rivals.

The Economist

Like Michael Corleone, Bashar Assad is an improbable successor, who promised to make the family enterprise legitimate but who operates in an environment that obstructs any such transformation.Five years into Bashar's reign, there is still little consensus about his beliefs on important issues or how much real power he exercises.

The Economist

Her travelogue obstructs many of the book's finest features.One of these is the way it shows how Chekhov's secretiveness, his inability to feel close to anyone man or God and his sense of mortality all shaped his literary universe.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The task is to develop effective government, that does far more to tackle social needs, but that also promotes rather than obstructs efficient markets and the institutions these require.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "obstructs", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being blocked or hindered, and the object specifies what is being obstructed. For example, "Bureaucracy often obstructs innovation."

Common error

Be careful not to confuse correlation with causation. Just because one factor precedes another doesn't mean it "obstructs" it. Always verify a direct, causal relationship.

Linguistic Context

The word "obstructs" functions as a transitive verb in the third-person singular present tense. It indicates that a subject is actively hindering or blocking something else, as shown in Ludwig's examples such as "poverty obstructs education".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obstructs" is a versatile verb that describes the action of hindering or blocking something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and frequently used, primarily in news, encyclopedias, and science contexts. Related terms like "impedes", "hinders", and "blocks" can be used as alternatives to enrich your writing. Remember to use "obstructs" when you wish to emphasize a specific barrier that is actively causing difficulties or delays.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impedes

Slightly more formal and emphasizes the slowing down or prevention of progress.

hinders

Suggests making it difficult for someone to do something or for something to happen.

blocks

Implies a complete stoppage or physical barrier.

inhibits

Focuses on restraining or preventing an action or process.

restricts

Indicates limiting or controlling the scope or freedom of something.

curtails

Emphasizes reducing or cutting short something.

thwarts

Suggests actively preventing someone's plans or efforts from succeeding.

stymies

Implies presenting an obstacle that is difficult to overcome.

obviates

Means to remove a need or difficulty; thus indirectly preventing progress.

encumbers

Suggests weighing down or burdening, thereby slowing progress.

FAQs

How to use "obstructs" in a sentence?

Use "obstructs" to indicate that something is blocking or hindering progress. For instance, "The fallen tree "obstructs the road"" or "Lack of funding "obstructs the research"".

What can I say instead of "obstructs"?

Alternatives include "impedes", "hinders", "blocks", or "inhibits", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "obstructs to"?

No, the correct usage is "obstructs" something or "obstructs someone". The preposition "to" is not typically used after "obstructs". For example, "The barrier "obstructs the view"."

What's the difference between "obstructs" and "prevents"?

"Obstructs" implies a hindrance or blockage, while "prevents" implies stopping something from happening altogether. "Lack of access "obstructs progress"" suggests slowing down progress. "Lack of access "prevents progress"" means progress is impossible.