substantial barriers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial barriers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant obstacles or challenges that hinder progress or access in various contexts, such as social, economic, or physical situations. Example: "Many individuals face substantial barriers when trying to access quality education and job opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Seemingly simple problems become substantial barriers for girls' education.

The Guardian - Opinion

The report acknowledged substantial barriers to achieving the savings, foremost among them the initial costs.

The New York Times

But they face substantial barriers at work, in their homes, and inside their own heads.

Harvard Business Review

But even those working for war-crimes prosecutions face substantial barriers during a conflict.

The New York Times

Moreover, any release must "comply with applicable legal restrictions," which pose substantial barriers.

The Washington Post

But such programs face substantial barriers in gaining funding and recruiting talent.

Harvard Business Review

Loss of macrophage cytotoxicity and proinflammatory signaling represent substantial barriers to immune clearance of solid tumors.

Nature

Codification presents challenges, the more so because it can erect substantial barriers for inexperienced researchers.

Cornell University

Even so, some people say substantial barriers still confront women trying to scale the technological peaks.

The New York Times - Tech

Or you can erect substantial barriers to trade with lower-wage countries.

The Economist

Encourage HIV role models: Even in an era of effective therapy, stigma and discrimination remain substantial barriers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial barriers", ensure that you clearly define what these barriers are and how they affect the subject in question. Providing specific examples strengthens your argument and adds clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial barriers" when the obstacles are minor or easily overcome. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility. Reserve it for genuinely significant impediments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial barriers" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. Ludwig examples confirm its role in describing significant impediments across various domains. The phrase effectively identifies and characterizes challenges that hinder progress or access.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial barriers" is a frequently used noun phrase that denotes significant impediments or obstacles. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, including science, news, and business. Alternatives such as "significant obstacles" or "major impediments" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When employing this phrase, ensure that you define the barriers clearly and provide specific examples to strengthen your argument. Avoid using it for minor or easily overcome challenges to maintain its impact. Recognized in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, this phrase is a valuable tool for clearly communicating the presence of noteworthy obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant obstacles

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the obstacles.

major impediments

Highlights the hindering effect of the barriers.

considerable hindrances

Focuses on the degree to which something is delayed or prevented.

formidable challenges

Stresses the difficulty in overcoming the barriers.

notable constraints

Highlights restrictions or limitations.

key obstacles

Emphasizes the importance or centrality of the barriers.

serious difficulties

Highlights the severity of the challenges.

pronounced limitations

Focuses on how evident the barriers are.

meaningful hurdles

Highlights the effort required to overcome them.

critical challenges

Emphasizes the importance and urgency of the barriers.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial barriers" to describe significant obstacles that prevent progress or access, such as "The lack of funding creates "substantial barriers" to research" or "Stigma remains one of the "substantial barriers" to accessing mental health care".

What are some alternatives to "substantial barriers"?

Alternatives include "significant obstacles", "major impediments", "considerable hindrances", or "formidable challenges", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "substantial barriers" or "significant barriers"?

Both "substantial barriers" and "significant barriers" are correct and usable. "Substantial" suggests a considerable amount or size, while "significant" emphasizes importance or consequence. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the size or the impact of the barriers.

What makes "substantial barriers" different from "minor obstacles"?

"Substantial barriers" indicates significant impediments that seriously hinder progress, while "minor obstacles" refers to small, easily overcome challenges. Using "substantial barriers" implies that overcoming these obstacles requires significant effort or resources.