significant impediment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant impediment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a major obstacle or barrier that hinders progress or achievement in a particular context. Example: "The lack of funding has created a significant impediment to the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His weight would be a significant impediment to recovery.

The New Yorker

The demands, he said, "stand as a very significant impediment".

The New York Times

"It removes a significant impediment in terms of getting nontraditional candidates on the ballot".

The New York Times

"I felt that the indirect effects were a significant impediment to the recovery of the populations," Dr. Wartzok said.

The New York Times

Fire officials at headquarters contend that the lack of notifications should not have presented a significant impediment to effective inspections.

The New York Times

County officials said a significant impediment to building below-market-rate housing in Westchester has been the cost of acquiring property.

The New York Times

Another significant impediment could be the growing population of Kurdish settlers, many of whom have built homes on land that the Oil Ministry says is not theirs.

The New York Times

However, newly adopted evaluation models that link teacher (and often principal) ratings to student performance on standardized tests are a significant impediment.

The New York Times

A significant impediment has been clashes among the parties trying to resolve the MF Global mess: three federal agencies and two bankruptcy trustees.

The New York Times

The participants in the study identify many characteristics of academic careers that they find unappealing: the constant hunt for funding for research projects is a significant impediment for both men and women.

The Guardian

6 that all-to-all is a significant impediment in our benchmarks.

Data Science and Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "significant impediment", ensure the context clearly defines what is being hindered or obstructed. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "significant impediment" when a simpler or less impactful phrase would suffice. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for truly substantial obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant impediment" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies something as a considerable obstacle or hindrance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "significant impediment" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a major obstacle or hindrance. As highlighted by Ludwig, it frequently appears in diverse contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, indicating its broad applicability. While synonyms like "major obstacle" or "serious hindrance" exist, "significant impediment" carries a slightly more formal tone. When employing this phrase, ensure that the nature and impact of the impediment are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity. It's also crucial to avoid overusing strong language, reserving "significant impediment" for situations where the obstacle truly has a substantial effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major obstacle

Replaces "impediment" with a more common synonym and "significant" with a stronger adjective.

serious hindrance

Substitutes "impediment" with "hindrance", emphasizing the act of delaying or obstructing.

substantial barrier

Uses "barrier" instead of "impediment", focusing on the aspect of preventing access or progress.

considerable obstacle

Similar to "major obstacle", but employs "considerable" to highlight the size or importance of the obstacle.

notable constraint

Replaces "impediment" with "constraint", shifting the focus to a limitation or restriction.

key stumbling block

Emphasizes that the "impediment" causes someone to trip or falter.

primary challenge

Replaces "impediment" with "challenge", softening the negative connotation.

formidable obstacle

Indicates the obstacle is difficult to overcome.

major disadvantage

Highlights the detrimental aspect of the "impediment".

chief deterrent

Highlights the impediment as a preventative.

FAQs

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

You can use "significant impediment" to describe a major obstacle hindering progress. For example, "Lack of funding is a "significant impediment" to research."

What are some alternatives to "significant impediment"?

Alternatives include "major obstacle", "serious hindrance", or "substantial barrier", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "significant impediment" a formal or informal phrase?

"Significant impediment" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. In more informal settings, simpler alternatives might be preferable.

What makes "significant impediment" different from "minor inconvenience"?

"Significant impediment" denotes a substantial obstacle that seriously hinders progress, while "minor inconvenience" refers to a small, easily manageable issue. The former has a much greater impact.