significant barriers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant barriers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe substantial obstacles or challenges that hinder progress or achievement in various contexts, such as social, economic, or personal situations. Example: "Many students face significant barriers to accessing higher education, including financial constraints and lack of support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

creates significant barriers to civil society participation.

The New York Times

But we face significant barriers to those exports," he said.

The Guardian

Apps remove significant barriers for Amy and I.

The Guardian - Opinion

There remain, however, significant barriers to using Mosaic.

The New York Times

There are significant barriers to entry in this business.

The New York Times

There are, of course, some significant barriers to overcome before the scanner becomes truly commonplace.

The New York Times

Many professions are protected by unions and guilds that erect significant barriers to entry.

The New Yorker

We are a potential supplier but we face two significant barriers.

The New York Times

However, there are also significant barriers to the uptake of low carbon retrofitting.

The Guardian

They like companies with dominant market positions in businesses that have significant barriers to entry.

The New York Times

This is a national problem that creates significant barriers for people with disabilities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "significant barriers", ensure you clearly identify what these barriers are and what impact they have. Specificity strengthens your argument and informs your audience effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "significant barriers" to describe minor inconveniences. Reserve this phrase for truly substantial obstacles that genuinely impede progress or success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant barriers" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It identifies substantial impediments or obstacles. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

25%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "significant barriers" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that effectively communicates the presence of substantial obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s accurate and usable in written English. This phrase sees widespread use across diverse contexts, notably in news, academic research, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, it's important to be specific about the barriers and their impacts, while avoiding exaggeration of their significance. Alternatives such as "major impediments" or "substantial obstacles" can be employed for variety, depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major impediments

Replaces "barriers" with "impediments", suggesting a slightly more formal or bureaucratic obstacle.

substantial obstacles

Substitutes "significant" with "substantial" and "barriers" with "obstacles", emphasizing the size and obstructiveness.

considerable challenges

Replaces the direct negative connotation of "barriers" with the more neutral term "challenges", focusing on the difficulty.

notable hurdles

Uses "hurdles" to imply obstacles that need to be overcome, adding a sense of progression or competition.

formidable roadblocks

Emphasizes the difficulty and imposing nature of the obstacles, suggesting they are hard to bypass.

key constraints

Focuses on limitations or restrictions rather than outright blockades, suitable for discussions of project management or resource allocation.

serious limitations

Highlights the restrictive aspect, indicating boundaries that impede progress or potential.

major difficulties

Simplifies the phrase to emphasize general problems or troubles encountered.

tough obstacles

Replaces "significant" and "substantial" with "tough", more informal, emphasizing that those obstacles are really hard to overcome

primary impediments

Focuses on the obstacles that are chief or of first importance.

FAQs

How can I use "significant barriers" in a sentence?

You can use "significant barriers" to describe substantial obstacles hindering progress. For example, "There are "significant barriers" to entry in this business" or "The women say there are "significant barriers" to travelling to England".

What are some alternatives to "significant barriers"?

Alternatives include "major impediments", "substantial obstacles", or "considerable challenges". The best choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "significant barriers" and "minor obstacles"?

"Significant barriers" refers to substantial impediments that seriously hinder progress, while "minor obstacles" denotes smaller, less impactful challenges that are easier to overcome. The choice of phrase depends on the severity of the obstruction.

Is it redundant to say "very significant barriers"?

While not grammatically incorrect, using "very significant barriers" can be redundant. The word "significant" already implies importance and impact. Consider using stronger, more specific language to describe the barrier's impact instead.