reduce the hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduce the hurdle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ways to make a task or process easier or less challenging. Example: "To improve participation in the program, we need to reduce the hurdle for applicants by simplifying the application process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Businesses like those provisions that reduce the hurdle rate that you have to surmount in order to make an investment — like an employee — a profitable investment," said Robert Willens, president of a tax and accounting advisory firm in New York.

The New York Times

What he may hope is that the effect on companies' investment decisions could be faster, as their cost of borrowing drops and as they then reduce the hurdle rates they impose as a test for new projects and equipment purchases.

The Economist

One possible explanation for the latest result may be because siRNA take advantage on the cellular protein machinery, which may have for effect to reduce the hurdle of the HCV RNA strand accessibility.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Those approaches reduce the hurdles to installing solar PV and they widen the pool of homeowners and businesses that can afford solar, which makes them important drivers of growth for the industry".

Huffington Post

School systems, particularly the New York City Board of Education, must reduce the bureaucratic hurdles to becoming a teacher, work to increase teacher salaries and address the work conditions of inner city schools.

The New York Times

Second, we need to reduce the bureaucratic hurdles to using small- and medium-scale rainwater harvesting and gray water (that is, waste water excluding toilet water) on private lands, rather than funneling all runoff to huge, costly and vulnerable reservoirs behind downstream dams.

The New York Times

In summary, to attract the most creative, analytical, and hard-working individuals to biomedical research, we need to reduce the financial hurdles.

Science Magazine

He will also propose more funding for legal aid programs and policies to reduce the legal hurdles for former prisoners applying for public housing, a process which also uses an applicant's criminal history as a factor in determining eligibility.  .

Huffington Post

The new rules reduce the expensive bureaucratic hurdles long faced by Cubans wishing to go overseas, many of whom know loved ones who lost everything when they emigrated or who left the island in the dead of night on rafts and powerboats.

The New York Times

Further work is required to establish if these measures would have a beneficial effect in reducing the language hurdle.

BMC Medical Education

The troika has been signaling as much by insisting that the government take bolder steps to slim the bloated state sector; clamp down on waste, inefficiency and corruption; and reduce the thickets of administrative hurdles that stifle entrepreneurship in Greece.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments or business decisions, use "reduce the hurdle" to convey lowering the minimum requirements for a project to be considered worthwhile.

Common error

Avoid using "reduce the hurdle" when you simply mean to "make something easier" in a general sense. The phrase often implies lowering a specific benchmark or requirement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduce the hurdle" functions as a verbal phrase typically used within a larger sentence to describe the action of diminishing an obstacle or requirement. Ludwig AI validates that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

34%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduce the hurdle" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe lowering obstacles or requirements. Though infrequently used, it appears mostly in formal and scientific contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it's correct and usable in written English. Consider using alternatives such as "lower the barrier" or "ease the challenge" to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using "reduce the hurdle", ensure that you are referring to a specific obstacle or benchmark, not just generally making something easier.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower the barrier

This suggests a more general obstacle being made less significant.

ease the challenge

Focuses on making a difficult task or situation less demanding.

mitigate the obstacle

Emphasizes lessening the impact of something that hinders progress.

diminish the impediment

Highlights reducing something that obstructs or hinders.

simplify the process

Focuses on making a procedure less complex and easier to navigate.

streamline the procedure

Refers to making a process more efficient and less cumbersome.

facilitate progress

Implies making it easier to advance or move forward.

lighten the load

Suggests reducing the burden or difficulty associated with something.

ease the strain

Focuses on alleviating pressure or tension in a situation.

clear the path

This suggests removing obstacles so that progress can be made.

FAQs

How can I use "reduce the hurdle" in a sentence?

You can use "reduce the hurdle" to describe the act of lowering a requirement or difficulty, such as "The company aimed to reduce the hurdle for new investments by lowering interest rates".

What's a good alternative to "reduce the hurdle"?

Alternatives include "lower the barrier", "ease the challenge", or "mitigate the obstacle", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "reduce the hurdle" or "lower the hurdle"?

Both "reduce the hurdle" and "lower the hurdle" are acceptable, but "reduce the hurdle" may be slightly more formal. The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What does it mean to "reduce the hurdle rate" in business?

In business, to "reduce the hurdle rate" means to lower the minimum acceptable rate of return for an investment. This can make more projects appear profitable and thus encourage investment.