poses an obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poses an obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that creates a barrier or difficulty in achieving a goal or completing a task. Example: "The lack of funding poses an obstacle to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Nonetheless, bortezomib poses an obstacle due to its subcutaneous/i.v.v

Nature

The intermittent nature of the wind generation poses an obstacle to high penetration of wind energy in electric power systems.

Electric Power Systems Research

"The illegal nature of these squatter settlements poses an obstacle to more lasting interventions and improvements," said Mr. Farhad of the United Nations refugees agency.

The New York Times

The inability to answer that question poses an obstacle to the White House's efforts to press for a hard line against Tehran.

The New York Times

She believes that the women are credible, but it poses an obstacle that they are not willing to publicly disclose their names.

The Guardian

The closing, Mr. Chen said, has become not only an inconvenience to residents, but poses an obstacle to businesses along Park Row.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

These regulations posed an obstacle for the self-understanding of Catholic American readers, writers, and scholars.

Cornell University

Election officials have another concern: Will damage from Sandy actually pose an obstacle to voting?

The Guardian

Even if a product is familiar, delivery through a new business model might pose an obstacle.

Harvard Business Review

And Conservatives, rather than posing an obstacle, are directing aggressive climate policies in much of the world.

The New York Times

The risk of prosecution that made Bradley wary of ransoms posed an obstacle to other potential donors as well.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "poses an obstacle", clearly identify what is being obstructed and the potential consequences of this obstruction. This provides context and emphasizes the significance of the obstacle.

Common error

Avoid using "poses an obstacle" without specifying what the obstacle is hindering. For example, instead of saying "The situation poses an obstacle", specify "The lack of funding poses an obstacle to the project's completion."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poses an obstacle" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the presence of something that hinders or impedes progress. As shown in Ludwig, it's frequently used to describe difficulties in various scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "poses an obstacle" is a versatile expression used to describe something that hinders progress or creates a challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, especially in science and news media. When using "poses an obstacle", ensure you clearly define the obstacle and what it is hindering for maximum impact. Alternatives such as "presents a challenge" or "creates a hurdle" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. The usage of "poses an obstacle" enhances clarity by directly addressing potential impediments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

presents a challenge

This alternative shifts the focus to the difficulty presented, rather than explicitly stating an obstruction.

creates a hurdle

This alternative uses a metaphor to describe the obstacle, implying something that needs to be overcome.

forms a barrier

This alternative emphasizes the obstructive nature of the issue, highlighting its role in preventing progress.

impedes progress

This alternative uses a more formal tone and directly states the effect on advancement.

hinders advancement

Similar to 'impedes progress', this emphasizes the slowing down of progress.

obstructs the path

This alternative uses a more figurative and visual way to express the obstruction.

sets back development

This alternative focuses on the negative impact on growth and development.

constitutes an impediment

This alternative uses a more formal and complex vocabulary to describe the obstruction.

creates a bottleneck

This alternative suggests a point of congestion that slows down the overall process.

is a stumbling block

This alternative employs a metaphor to describe something that causes one to trip or falter.

FAQs

How can I use "poses an obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "poses an obstacle" to indicate that something creates a difficulty or hindrance. For example, "The complicated legal process "poses an obstacle" to quick resolution".

What can I say instead of "poses an obstacle"?

Alternatives include "presents a challenge", "creates a hurdle", or "forms a barrier" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "poses an obstacle" or "presents an obstacle"?

Both "poses an obstacle" and "presents an obstacle" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express; "poses" emphasizes the act of creating the obstacle, while "presents" highlights its existence.

What is the difference between "obstacle" and "hindrance" when used with "poses"?

While both "obstacle" and "hindrance" imply something that impedes progress, an "obstacle" often suggests a more significant or tangible barrier, whereas a "hindrance" might be a less substantial impediment. Therefore, "poses an obstacle" typically describes a more considerable challenge than "poses a hindrance".