smaller obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smaller obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing obstacles or challenges, indicating that one is less significant or easier to overcome than another. Example: "While the project faced several challenges, the budget constraints were a smaller obstacle compared to the tight deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But simple discrimination seems to have become a relatively smaller obstacle over the last few decades, while socioeconomic disadvantage has become a larger one.

The New York Times

If you're still having trouble, try to improve your ollie on flat ground, or find a smaller obstacle.

WikiHow

While there is no cure for stuttering, these techniques will help you reduce it to manageable levels until it is a much smaller obstacle.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Computational cost of this approach is low since small-scale obstacles are not resolved on the computational mesh.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

The Folkestone card, meanwhile, includes arguably the worst race ever staged over timber, a "beginners' chase" between just two fencing debutants neither of whom has shown much ability even over the smaller obstacles.

The Guardian - Sport

Also, there was the question of whether his speed may have been blunted by his new career as a chaser; he had not raced over the smaller obstacles since October.

The Guardian - Sport

The horse is now in the Gold Cup reckoning, but the alterative Festival scenario is to revert to the smaller obstacles for a tilt at the World Hurdle, followed by a trip to Aintree for the Grand National.

Independent

Today's meeting at Cork may provide solace for a former champion over the smaller obstacles when Sublimity, who took the Cheltenham crown in 2007, drops in class in search of his first success for more than two years.

Independent

As the social scientist Franklin Zimring has shown repeatedly, we didn't need to build, so to speak, a twelve-foot barrier separating the criminal from his crime in order to see crime decrease — we built a series of smaller obstacles, which ended by producing dramatic results.

The New Yorker

What are the smaller obstacles in your life that cause you to feel negative day by day?

WikiHow

An alternative approach, which can be implemented in general-purpose CFD codes, is to use body-fitted grids for medium to large-scale objects whilst combining multiple small-scale obstacles in close proximity and using porous media models to represent blockage effects.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing challenges, use "smaller obstacle" to clearly indicate that one challenge is less significant than another. For example, "While both options have risks, the financial risk is a "smaller obstacle" compared to the potential damage to our reputation."

Common error

Avoid using "smaller obstacle" when the challenge is actually significant. Overly minimizing a problem can lead to underpreparedness and negative consequences. Be sure to accurately assess the situation to avoid misrepresenting the challenge's true scale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smaller obstacle" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the obstacle being described is of lesser magnitude or significance compared to another. Ludwig AI confirms this through real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smaller obstacle" is used to describe a challenge or impediment that is less significant compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable. While its frequency is rare, its communicative purpose is to minimize the perceived difficulty of a challenge. It is suitable for various registers. When using this phrase, consider whether to use alternative phrases like "minor impediment" or "slight hurdle", based on the context and ensure you are accurately representing the size and impact of the obstacle.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor impediment

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment" and "smaller" with "minor", indicating a less significant barrier.

slight hurdle

Substitutes "obstacle" with "hurdle" and "smaller" with "slight", suggesting a minor challenge.

insignificant barrier

Uses "barrier" instead of "obstacle" and "insignificant" to emphasize the minimal impact of the obstacle.

trivial challenge

Replaces "obstacle" with "challenge" and "smaller" with "trivial", highlighting the ease of overcoming it.

manageable difficulty

Emphasizes the ease with which the obstacle can be managed, replacing "smaller" with "manageable".

reduced complication

Focuses on the complication aspect, indicating that it has been lessened.

lesser setback

Highlights the setback aspect of the obstacle, indicating it's of a lower degree.

minor inconvenience

Framing the obstacle as an inconvenience that is not substantial.

secondary concern

Presents the obstacle as a concern that is of a lower importance compared to primary concerns.

slight snag

Substituting "obstacle" with the more informal term "snag" and emphasizing its minimal impact.

FAQs

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

Use "smaller obstacle" to compare the relative significance of two or more challenges. For example, "Limited funding was a "smaller obstacle" compared to the lack of skilled personnel."

What are some alternatives to "smaller obstacle"?

You can use alternatives such as "minor impediment", "slight hurdle", or "insignificant barrier" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "smallest obstacle" instead of "smaller obstacle"?

While "smallest obstacle" is grammatically correct, it implies there are multiple obstacles and you are referring to the least significant one. "Smaller obstacle" is used when comparing two specific obstacles.

How does "smaller obstacle" differ from "major obstacle"?

"Smaller obstacle" indicates a less significant challenge, while "major obstacle" signifies a significant or critical impediment. The choice depends on the actual scale and impact of the challenge being described.