specific obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "specific obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular challenge or barrier that is identifiable and distinct in a given context. Example: "The team faced a specific obstacle in the project that required immediate attention to ensure timely completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The program will complement those backgrounds, while giving students hands-on experience in multidisciplinary projects to tackle a specific obstacle in the field.

University of California, Berkeley

The hearing investigated a specific obstacle to widespread modifications: Investors, including pension funds and mutual funds, often hold the first mortgages.

The New York Times

Indeed, we use a Lyapunov function depending on the disturbances in order to avoid a specific obstacle in the stability analysis.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

When in trouble, its makers say HIRO will be able to access the web by itself to get information or even connect to other robots that have experience in overcoming a specific obstacle.

TechCrunch

Thus a specific obstacle to women or racialized men, who wish to transform racist and sexist institutions, is the very self-awareness racialized or sexualized persons have—a self-awareness that emerges, for example, from both side-long glances of the white privileged and the sexual objectification of women's bodies.

SEP

Officials said one specific obstacle was Iran's demand for recognition of what it views as its "right" to enrich uranium.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Women face specific obstacles in many of these areas.

The Guardian

*$2 billion in other funds to address specific obstacles to widespread acquisition of health IT systems.

Harvard University

But while his environment poses some specific obstacles to his maturation, Jody's basic predicament is hardly unique.

The New York Times

Threats were specific obstacles to doing so, for example habitat loss and pollution.

The Economist

As the pharmacists learned more about the specific obstacles older patients face, they adjusted their practices accordingly.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "specific obstacle" when you want to emphasize a clearly defined and identifiable barrier, rather than a vague or general difficulty.

Common error

Avoid using "specific obstacle" with redundant qualifiers like "very specific obstacle" or "clearly specific obstacle". The word "specific" already implies a high degree of clarity and definition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "specific obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, where 'specific' modifies 'obstacle'. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is appropriate for use in various contexts, emphasizing a clearly defined challenge.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “specific obstacle” is a grammatically correct and usable term in English, employed to denote a clearly defined challenge or barrier. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in various contexts. It functions as a noun phrase, primarily used to highlight a concrete impediment requiring attention. While generally neutral in register, it finds frequent use in news, academic, and scientific contexts. For alternative phrasing, options like "particular impediment" or "distinct hurdle" can be considered. When using the phrase, avoid redundant qualifiers to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

particular impediment

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment", emphasizing hindrance.

distinct hurdle

Substitutes "obstacle" with "hurdle", suggesting a challenge to overcome.

concrete challenge

Replaces "obstacle" with "challenge", focusing on the demanding nature of the situation.

precise difficulty

Uses "difficulty" instead of "obstacle", highlighting the problematic aspect.

defined barrier

Emphasizes the clear and established nature of the obstacle.

clear impediment

Focuses on the clarity of the hindering factor.

identified problem

Highlights that the obstacle has been recognized and named.

certain stumbling block

Replaces "obstacle" with "stumbling block", indicating something that causes one to falter.

known complication

Emphasizes that the obstacle adds complexity to the situation.

particular disadvantage

Highlights the hindering situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "specific obstacle" to refer to a particular challenge or barrier that needs to be addressed. For example, "The lack of funding was a "specific obstacle" to the project's success."

What are some alternatives to "specific obstacle"?

Alternatives include "particular impediment", "distinct hurdle", or "concrete challenge", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very specific obstacle"?

Yes, using "very" before "specific" is generally redundant. The term "specific" already implies a high level of detail and clarity. It's better to just use "specific obstacle".

What's the difference between a "specific obstacle" and a "general obstacle"?

A "specific obstacle" refers to a clearly defined and identifiable barrier, while a "general obstacle" is a more vague or broad difficulty. For example, "lack of funding" is a "specific obstacle", whereas "economic downturn" could be a general one.