surmounted this obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surmounted this obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing overcoming challenges or difficulties in various contexts, such as personal experiences, business situations, or academic pursuits. Example: "After months of hard work and dedication, we finally surmounted this obstacle and achieved our goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

They surmounted this obstacle by temporarily moving to and becoming citizens of Saxony, where they finally got married.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Teamsters union is plotting an unusual strategy to surmount this obstacle.

The New York Times

Her extremely successful way of surmounting this obstacle is to lead readers into the naïve, unformed mind of the newly arrived Helen, who, way back in 1965, barely understood her talents or her professional raison d'être.

The New York Times - Books

Replacing the classical simulator by a quantum simulator would be an effective method of surmounting this obstacle.

Superlattices and Microstructures

To surmount this obstacle and to compete with synthetic surfactants, inexpensive substrates and effective microorganisms must be developed for bio-surfactant production.

AMB Express

Hoping that large numbers would surmount this obstacle, cancer researcher Valerie Beral and colleagues from Cancer Research UK in Oxford collected raw patient data from 47 epidemiological studies conducted in 30 countries.

Science Magazine

We still hold out hope that someday someone will learn from this abominable failure and, standing on the shoulders of shirt stays, finally surmount this obstacle--our money's on magnetic underwire.

Vice

She never surmounted those obstacles, and Mr. Bush withdrew her nomination.

The New York Times

But a powerful new approach, called RNA interference, may surmount that obstacle.

The New York Times - Science

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surmounted this obstacle" to add a touch of formality and emphasize the effort required to overcome a specific challenge. Consider it when aiming for a slightly elevated or literary tone.

Common error

Avoid using "surmounted this obstacle" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "overcame this challenge" are more appropriate for everyday situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surmounted this obstacle" functions as a concise expression of successful resolution in the face of adversity. As Ludwig suggests, it conveys a sense of achievement after effort.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surmounted this obstacle" is a grammatically correct, though infrequent, way to describe overcoming a specific challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for written English. While versatile, it tends toward a slightly more formal and elevated tone compared to simpler alternatives like ""overcame this challenge"". Its usage spans various contexts, including news reporting, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries. When aiming for a sophisticated and descriptive style, "surmounted this obstacle" can be a fitting choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overcame this challenge

Replaces "surmounted" with "overcame" and "obstacle" with "challenge", offering a more common and direct alternative.

overcame this setback

Replaces "surmounted" with "overcame" and "obstacle" with "setback", describing how the adverse effects were dealt with.

conquered this hurdle

Substitutes "surmounted" with "conquered" and "obstacle" with "hurdle", suggesting a forceful overcoming of a specific difficulty.

navigated this difficulty

Replaces "surmounted" with "navigated" and "obstacle" with "difficulty", implying a skillful maneuvering around a problem.

triumphed over this adversity

Replaces "surmounted" with "triumphed" and "obstacle" with "adversity", adding a sense of victory over a significant hardship.

beat this problem

A more informal substitute, using "beat" instead of "surmounted" and "problem" instead of "obstacle".

rose above this impediment

Implies overcoming something that was holding one back by using "rose above" instead of "surmounted" and "impediment" instead of "obstacle".

licked this issue

An informal phrase that replace "surmounted" with "licked" and "obstacle" with "issue".

coped with this setback

Highlights the handling of a temporary failure, substituting "surmounted" with "coped with" and "obstacle" with "setback".

got past this roadblock

This phrase emphasizes the act of moving beyond a specific barrier, using "got past" instead of "surmounted" and "roadblock" instead of "obstacle".

FAQs

What does "surmounted this obstacle" mean?

The phrase "surmounted this obstacle" means to have successfully overcome a challenge or difficulty. It implies that effort and determination were required to achieve success.

How can I use "surmounted this obstacle" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe how a problem or a challenge was overcome. For example: "They "overcame this challenge" by working together as a team."

Which is a more common phrase, "surmounted this obstacle" or "overcame this obstacle"?

"Overcame this obstacle" is more frequently used in everyday language. "Surmounted this obstacle" carries a slightly more formal or elevated tone.

What are some alternatives to "surmounted this obstacle"?

Alternatives include "overcame this hurdle", "conquered this difficulty", or "navigated this problem", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.