substantial hurdle

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial hurdle" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe an obstacle that is difficult to overcome. For example, "The main substantial hurdle this project faces is a lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The most substantial hurdle remaining is the continued government ownership, analysts said.

The New York Times

On Monday, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who had joined that dissent, said the Bowles decision was "a substantial hurdle to contend with".

The New York Times

Two late goals by Yaya Touré settled that, giving City a 2-0 victory at fifth-place Newcastle and vaulting it over the final substantial hurdle it faced in the title race in the Premier League.

The New York Times

A recent decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in Manhattan, which will review the convictions, may present the Justice Department with a substantial hurdle to show the Libor submissions were sufficient to support a conviction for wire fraud.

The New York Times

Democratic voter enthusiasm has been running well below 2008 levels, indicating that this time around, Obama faces a substantial hurdle in replicating the surge in turnout that helped propel him into the White House four years ago – although there has been some improvement recently.

The New York Times

So investigators looking at conduct in 2006 and 2007, when the market for residential mortgage-backed securities was at its peak, are going to confront stale evidence and dim recollections while having to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a substantial hurdle in any case.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

But plaintiffs will face substantial hurdles.

The New York Times

But there are some substantial hurdles.

The New York Times - Arts

There are still substantial hurdles for Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

Finding the money faces some substantial hurdles, however.

The New York Times - Travel

But for Pharmacia to win market share, it will have to overcome substantial hurdles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "substantial hurdle" with a clear explanation of why it's a hurdle. Providing context helps the reader understand the significance of the obstacle.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial hurdle" for minor inconveniences. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact when describing truly significant obstacles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial hurdle" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "hurdle". According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for general use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial hurdle" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for general use. It's frequently found in News & Media and Scientific writing, indicating a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, consider the actual size of the obstacle and avoid overuse. Related phrases include "significant obstacle" and "major impediment". Overall, "substantial hurdle" is a useful and effective expression for highlighting considerable challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant obstacle

Replaces "hurdle" with a synonym that emphasizes the obstructing nature of the problem and "substantial" with a more generic synonym.

difficult obstacle

Simpler phrasing, directly stating the difficulty of the obstacle.

major impediment

Uses a stronger word, "impediment", to highlight the hindering effect, while retaining the sense of significance.

significant impediment

Another similar phrase that uses "significant" to emphasize the meaning.

considerable challenge

Shifts the focus to the difficulty posed by the hurdle, using "challenge" instead of "obstacle".

tough challenge

More concise and informal way of conveying a difficult challenge.

formidable barrier

Emphasizes the imposing and difficult-to-overcome nature of the hurdle.

notable difficulty

Highlights that the difficulty is worthy of attention and is not easily dismissed.

serious stumbling block

Emphasizes the potential for failure or delay caused by the hurdle.

primary challenge

Highlights that the obstacle is among the major problems.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial hurdle" to describe a significant obstacle. For example, "The lack of funding is a "substantial hurdle" to the project's success."

What's a good alternative to "substantial hurdle"?

Alternatives include "significant obstacle", "major impediment", or "considerable challenge", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "significant hurdle" and "substantial hurdle" are correct. "Substantial" emphasizes the size or importance of the hurdle, while "significant" emphasizes its impact or consequence. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Can "substantial hurdle" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "substantial hurdle" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe a significant obstacle, as demonstrated by its use in news articles, scientific papers, and business reports.