substantial obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a difficult situation or difficult challenge. For example, "The project encountered substantial obstacles, but the team persevered and completed it successfully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, he faces substantial obstacles.

The Guardian

Ms. Bachmann would have substantial obstacles to overcome.

The New York Times

That may well be the case for Mr. McCain too, and he faces substantial obstacles.

The New York Times

But Pentagon officials have said there are substantial obstacles to any such sales.

The New York Times

So, interest-group politics commonly produce substantial obstacles to reform of corporate governance.

Harvard University

"They may pull through," said Patrick Finnegan, a senior vice president at Moody's Investors Service, "but they face substantial obstacles".

The New York Times

The US supreme court has ruled that states may not place undue burdens or substantial obstacles to women seeking abortion.

The Guardian

Still, Mr. Weiner faces substantial obstacles, including that several of his former aides have now signed onto other mayoral campaigns.

The New York Times

"I hope there will be no premature, self-congratulatory statements suggesting the crisis is over, for we all know that there are still substantial obstacles to overcome.

The Guardian - Business

What is going on is that the program has not been able to overcome substantial obstacles standing between it and success.

The New York Times - Sports

Given the substantial obstacles, will the N.I.H. project, which has not even really begun, be worth the immense expense and effort?

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "substantial obstacles", consider specifying the nature of these obstacles to provide clarity and context to your readers.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial obstacles" when the challenges are minor or easily overcome; instead, opt for less emphatic phrasing to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial obstacles" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig AI validates its correct and consistent usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "substantial obstacles" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote significant challenges or difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Appearing across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and academic writing, it effectively conveys the severity and impact of impediments. When using this phrase, it's crucial to specify the nature of the obstacles for clarity and to avoid overstating their impact. Alternatives such as "significant challenges" or "major hurdles" can be used depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant challenges

Focuses more on the difficulty aspect.

major hurdles

Emphasizes the idea of overcoming difficulties.

considerable difficulties

Highlights the degree of trouble involved.

formidable barriers

Stresses the imposing nature of the obstacles.

serious impediments

Underscores the hindering effect of the obstacles.

tough challenges

Highlights the level of difficulty that needs to be overcome.

notable difficulties

Emphasizes that the level of difficulty is easily observed.

significant roadblocks

Highlights how such obstacles can block progress.

major setbacks

Focuses on the negative impact these obstacles may have.

extensive complications

Draws focus on all the underlying things that may make a process more complex.

FAQs

How to use "substantial obstacles" in a sentence?

You can use "substantial obstacles" to describe significant challenges or difficulties. For example, "The project faced "substantial obstacles" due to funding constraints."

What can I say instead of "substantial obstacles"?

You can use alternatives like "significant challenges", "major hurdles", or "considerable difficulties depending on the context.

Which is correct, "substantial obstacles" or "significant obstacle"?

"Substantial obstacles" refers to multiple challenges, while "significant obstacle" refers to a single, major challenge. Ensure the phrasing matches the number of challenges you are describing.

What's the difference between "substantial obstacles" and "minor inconveniences"?

"Substantial obstacles" denotes serious and impactful difficulties, whereas "minor inconveniences" refers to small, easily managed issues. The choice depends on the severity of the challenge.