surmount the obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surmount the obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing overcoming challenges or difficulties in various contexts, such as personal growth, problem-solving, or achieving goals. Example: "Despite the many challenges she faced, she was determined to surmount the obstacle and achieve her dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

To surmount the obstacle formed by the Ouarsenis Massif, situated between Chelif Plain and the Sersou Plateau, it is necessary to pass by way of Theniet al-Haad.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet if they can surmount the obstacle of the umlaut, I believe they will find a lot to like in a glass of good blaufränkisch.

The New York Times - Food

The car creeps up against a deep rut or a rock face, then pauses as the computer figures out what needs to be done to surmount the obstacle.

BBC

We need to develop some techniques to surmount the obstacle, though we also follow the classic approach (based on the compact embedding) widely used in [5, 6, 17, 21 24] and so on.

Boundary Value Problems

The future of the whole research area dealing with regulatory networks hinges on our ability to surmount the obstacle described in the present paper either by means of mathematics (including the recourse to parametric methods) or through radical technological improvements.

Biology Direct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Perhaps their ability to surmount the obstacles of the Middle East conflict is what threatens the education ministry".

The Guardian

Mr Clilverd pointed out that although accommodating swanky advertising in tiny grounds can be tricky, the clubs are only too happy to surmount the obstacles.

Independent

A vaccine for humans is still years away but the process could be sped up if a venturesome drug company found ways to surmount the obstacles that doomed the first vaccine.

The New York Times

(Zinoman) 'THE GUT GIRLikeLike the large unwieldy carcass the Victorian-era characters must tackle in a slaughterhouse, this preachy British play by Sarah Daniels doesn't yield to either the director or the dialect coach in this revival, though several actresses manage to surmount the obstacles in a fashion (2 45).

The New York Times

Also, corresponding possible remedies to surmount the obstacles in recent researches are introduced in the discussion.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

If we want young people to start businesses, we need to put resources in place to help more of them surmount the obstacles.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surmount the obstacle" when you want to emphasize the act of overcoming a significant barrier or difficulty, often implying a degree of effort and determination.

Common error

Avoid using "surmount the obstacle" in very informal contexts. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in casual conversation or writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "overcome the problem" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surmount the obstacle" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "surmount" acts as the verb and "the obstacle" is the direct object. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment, indicating a grammatically sound structure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surmount the obstacle" is a grammatically correct and understandable idiom used to describe overcoming challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. While the expression is more common in formal writing, particularly within news, scientific and encyclopedic content, it can be replaced by less formal alternatives in certain contexts. The frequency is uncommon, as shown in the number of examples. To enhance writing, aim to contextualize to determine the most appropriate register for your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overcome the hurdle

Replaces "surmount" with "overcome" and "obstacle" with "hurdle", offering a slightly less formal alternative.

conquer the challenge

Substitutes "surmount" with "conquer" and "obstacle" with "challenge", suggesting a more forceful overcoming.

rise above the difficulty

Offers a more metaphorical expression, implying elevation beyond the problem.

triumph over adversity

Emphasizes the opposing force (adversity) and the victory achieved.

get over the impediment

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment", a more formal term for something that hinders progress.

beat the odds

Focuses on overcoming low probabilities or unfavorable circumstances.

break through the barrier

Suggests a forceful overcoming of a restrictive boundary.

navigate the problem

Implies a careful and strategic approach to overcoming a difficulty.

resolve the issue

Focuses on finding a solution to a problem, rather than just overcoming it.

bypass the obstruction

Suggests avoiding the obstacle altogether, rather than directly confronting it.

FAQs

What does "surmount the obstacle" mean?

The phrase "surmount the obstacle" means to overcome a difficulty or barrier. It implies successfully dealing with a challenge and progressing forward.

How can I use "surmount the obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use "surmount the obstacle" to describe overcoming challenges in various contexts. For example: "The team worked hard to surmount the obstacle and achieve their goals."

What are some alternatives to "surmount the obstacle"?

You can use alternatives like "overcome the hurdle", "conquer the challenge", or "rise above the difficulty".

Is "surmount the obstacle" a formal expression?

Yes, "surmount the obstacle" is a relatively formal expression. In informal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "get over the problem" or "overcome the difficulty".