remove the obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "remove the obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used when you are speaking about overcoming an obstacle, or an impediment to success. For example: "In order to reach our goals, we must first remove the obstacle of low morale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Ubiquitously influential as Woods may be, the icon doesn't remove the obstacle of access.

The New York Times - Sports

Taiwan, in contrast, has been urging the Chinese government to have dialogues on matters of mutual concern without any precondition, but China has refused to remove the obstacle.

The New York Times

Now, with the impasse over arms threatening that fragile administration in Belfast, the governments are trying a new tactic to remove the obstacle.

The New York Times

But this month, OfCom plans to remove the obstacle that has consigned most British consumers to the wireless slow lane — a lack of broadcast spectrum.

The New York Times - Tech

The universal applicability of its plot, he conjectured, lies in the desire of every male child to sleep with his mother and remove the obstacle to the realization of that wish, his father.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"My feeling is if you made a mistake when you were 16 or 17 that actually led to a conviction of a crime but you didn't commit any other crime for 10 years, then we will conditionally pardon you and let you get on with your life and remove the obstacle".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But we did want to remove the obstacles that slow the player down.

The Guardian - Tech

Both times, I was, correctly charged with disobeying a lawful order to remove the obstacles.

The Guardian

The victim was hoping that Priscilla Delmaro could remove the obstacles that were keeping them apart.

Independent

In all sorts of ways Amazon is trying to remove the obstacles from home delivery.

The New York Times

Netanyahu also warned against his "manipulative charm offensive", designed to "remove the obstacles to Iran's path to the bomb".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context; synonyms like "eradicate the obstruction" may be more appropriate in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "remove the obstacle" when the issue is more about managing a complex situation than eliminating a specific blockage. In such cases, consider phrases like "address the challenge" or "manage the issue".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remove the obstacle" functions as a verb phrase, where "remove" is the transitive verb and "the obstacle" is the direct object. This phrase typically introduces an action aimed at eliminating an impediment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remove the obstacle" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that conveys the action of eliminating an impediment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for use in writing. While not extremely common, it appears in a variety of contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedia articles. When using the phrase, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, as there are several alternative phrases like "eliminate the barrier" or "overcome the hurdle". Understanding common errors, such as using the phrase when a situation requires management rather than removal, can further refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eliminate the barrier

This alternative emphasizes a more complete removal, using "eliminate" instead of "remove" and "barrier" as a synonym for "obstacle".

overcome the hurdle

This alternative focuses on the action of overcoming a challenge, using "hurdle" to represent a specific type of obstacle.

clear the impediment

This alternative uses "clear" to suggest making something free from obstruction, with "impediment" as a formal synonym for "obstacle".

resolve the difficulty

This alternative focuses on solving a problem, using "difficulty" to refer to a challenging obstacle.

eliminate the restriction

Focuses on the elimination of a constraint or limitation

eradicate the obstruction

This option uses the stronger verb "eradicate" to suggest a complete and permanent removal of the obstacle.

nullify the hindrance

This formal alternative suggests rendering the obstacle ineffective, using "nullify" and "hindrance" for emphasis.

mitigate the problem

This alternative focuses on lessening the impact of the obstacle rather than completely removing it.

bypass the challenge

This alternative suggests avoiding the obstacle altogether, rather than directly confronting it.

sidestep the issue

Suggests avoiding direct confrontation by moving to the side.

FAQs

What does "remove the obstacle" mean?

The phrase "remove the obstacle" means to eliminate or get rid of something that is blocking progress or preventing a desired outcome.

What are some synonyms for "remove the obstacle"?

Alternatives to "remove the obstacle" include "eliminate the barrier", "overcome the hurdle", or "clear the impediment".

How can I use "remove the obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "remove the obstacle" in a sentence like: "The government is working to remove the obstacle to economic growth".

Is it better to "remove the obstacle" or "overcome the obstacle"?

Whether it's better to "remove the obstacle" or "overcome the obstacle" depends on the context. "Remove the obstacle" implies eliminating it completely, while "overcome the obstacle" suggests dealing with it to achieve a goal.