primary obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you are referring to a main problem that is stopping you from achieving something. For example, "The primary obstacle to our success was the lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is doctors who seem to be the primary obstacle.

The New York Times

The weather, of course, is the primary obstacle.

The Washington Post

Intuit has been a primary obstacle to the effort.

The New York Times - Tech

Ontology heterogeneity is the primary obstacle for interoperation of ontologies.

Journal of Systems Engineering and Electronics

Indeed, the primary obstacle to large-scale repatriation now is security.

The New York Times

Many analysts said the primary obstacle to attracting more police candidates was pay.

The New York Times

"Crime is the primary obstacle to development in Latin America," Mr. Maduro said in an interview.

The New York Times

The primary obstacle was the limited amount of resources available for expenditure on education.

Britannica

For many business processes, poor scalability is the primary obstacle to improvement.

Harvard Business Review

Today, government regulation of cable television is the primary obstacle to competition.

The New York Times

Hungarian control of Belgrade became the primary obstacle to large-scale advances north of the Danube.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether "primary obstacle" accurately reflects the situation, or if other contributing factors need to be acknowledged. Acknowledging secondary obstacles can add nuance and completeness to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "primary obstacle" when the issue is merely a minor inconvenience. Overstating the severity weakens the overall impact and credibility of your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary obstacle" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most significant barrier or impediment. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and is commonly used to denote a key challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary obstacle" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to pinpoint the main impediment to progress or success. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various domains. Analysis of Ludwig examples shows that it is most commonly found in News & Media, followed by Scientific contexts. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines the goal being hindered and avoid overstating the obstacle's significance. Alternatives such as ""main impediment"" or ""principal challenge"" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main impediment

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment", suggesting a hindrance or obstruction to progress.

chief stumbling block

Uses a more metaphorical term, "stumbling block", to describe the major difficulty.

principal challenge

Substitutes "obstacle" with "challenge", framing it as a task or difficulty to be overcome.

major hurdle

Replaces "obstacle" with "hurdle", implying a barrier that needs to be jumped over.

key bottleneck

Emphasizes the limiting factor in a process, using the term "bottleneck".

foremost difficulty

Replaces both "primary" and "obstacle" with synonyms, focusing on the prominence of the issue.

central problem

Shifts the focus to the issue itself, rather than the obstruction it causes.

biggest drawback

Highlights the negative aspect or disadvantage that is most significant.

greatest constraint

Emphasizes the limitation or restriction that is most impactful.

critical limiting factor

This alternative specifies that the problem is a "factor" affecting the results.

FAQs

How can I use "primary obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "primary obstacle" to identify the main factor hindering progress towards a goal. For example, "The "primary obstacle" to completing the project was a lack of funding."

What are some alternatives to "primary obstacle"?

Some alternatives to "primary obstacle" include "main impediment", "chief stumbling block", or "principal challenge", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "primary obstacle" and "secondary obstacle"?

"Primary obstacle" refers to the main hindering factor, while "secondary obstacle" refers to less significant, contributing factors. Addressing both can provide a more comprehensive solution.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "primary obstacle" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "primary obstacle" when you want to emphasize the single most significant barrier preventing success or progress in a particular situation. Consider the specific context and ensure it accurately reflects the major impediment.