substantial hurdles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial hurdles" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means significant or significant obstacles or challenges. You can use it in a sentence to describe a difficult situation or task: "Overcoming the company's financial struggles will be challenging, as there are substantial hurdles to overcome in the current market." In this example, "substantial hurdles" refers to the difficult economic conditions and other obstacles that must be faced in order to improve the company's financial situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

But plaintiffs will face substantial hurdles.

The New York Times

But there are some substantial hurdles.

The New York Times - Arts

Finding the money faces some substantial hurdles, however.

The New York Times - Travel

There are still substantial hurdles for Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

This project also faces substantial hurdles, including well-organized community opposition.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 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

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

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial hurdles" when you want to emphasize that the challenges are not only significant but also require effort and strategy to overcome, similar to clearing hurdles in a race.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial hurdles" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where the obstacles truly present a significant challenge to success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial hurdles" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "hurdles". According to Ludwig AI, it correctly signifies significant obstacles or challenges.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial hurdles" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase signifying significant obstacles or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news, science, and formal business settings. While it's suitable for neutral to professional communication, ensure its use is reserved for genuinely significant obstacles to avoid overstatement. Consider related phrases like "significant obstacles" or "major challenges" for nuanced variations. Be mindful of the register when choosing alternatives. The phrase is a useful tool to highlight challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant obstacles

Focuses more on the obstructive nature, less on the competitive aspect implied by "hurdles".

major challenges

Emphasizes the difficulty and demanding nature of the situation.

considerable difficulties

Highlights the troublesome aspects and potential for problems.

formidable barriers

Stresses the imposing and potentially insurmountable nature of the obstacles.

tough challenges

Informal alternative, emphasizing the demanding aspect.

onerous obstacles

Stresses the burdensome and oppressive nature of the hurdles.

serious impediments

Highlights the hindering effect of the hurdles on progress.

daunting tasks

Emphasizes the intimidating and discouraging nature of the challenges.

difficult trials

Highlights the testing and challenging nature of the situation.

tough row to hoe

Idiomatic expression indicating a difficult and laborious task.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial hurdles" to describe significant obstacles that need to be overcome. For example: "The company faces "substantial hurdles" in entering the new market".

What are some alternatives to "substantial hurdles"?

Alternatives include "significant obstacles", "major challenges", or "formidable barriers", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "substantial hurdles"?

It is appropriate when referring to significant obstacles that require considerable effort to overcome, suggesting a situation that demands strategic planning and resilience.

Is "substantial hurdles" formal or informal language?

"Substantial hurdles" is generally considered neutral to formal. For a more informal alternative, you could consider "tough challenges", but be mindful of the context.