the main obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the main obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary challenge or difficulty faced in a particular situation or context. Example: "The main obstacle to completing the project on time is the lack of resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The main obstacle is price.

The Economist

Again, the main obstacle is politics.

The Economist

But the main obstacle is market concentration.

The Economist

The main obstacle to action was profit.

The Guardian

The main obstacle, once again, was revenue.

The Washington Post

The main obstacle, Mr. Baitty said, is cost.

The New York Times

For the council the main obstacle was insurance.

The Guardian - Arts

The main obstacle is acquiring sufficient land and funding.

The Guardian

Money was the main obstacle: "How much will it cost?

The Guardian - Sport

The main obstacle is worrying that you can't do it.

The Guardian - Travel

The main obstacle, it seems, is working out how.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the main obstacle", ensure that the context clearly identifies what is being hindered or prevented. For example, specify "the main obstacle to success" or "the main obstacle in completing the project."

Common error

Avoid labeling minor issues as "the main obstacle". Accurately identify the primary impediment to maintain credibility and focus efforts effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the main obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the most significant impediment or challenge in a given situation, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science & Research

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "the main obstacle" is a common and grammatically sound way to identify the primary impediment in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and business. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial; ensure the context makes it evident what is being hindered. While alternatives like "the principal impediment" or "the key challenge" exist, "the main obstacle" remains a direct and effective choice for highlighting the most significant hindrance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the principal impediment

Replaces "obstacle" with "impediment", suggesting a hindrance or obstruction.

the chief impediment

Emphasizes the importance of the impediment as the primary hindrance.

the key challenge

Substitutes "obstacle" with "challenge", framing the difficulty as a test of one's abilities.

the primary difficulty

Replaces "obstacle" with "difficulty", indicating a state or quality of being hard to accomplish.

the foremost challenge

Highlights the prominence of the challenge as the most important one.

the greatest difficulty

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difficulty as the most significant one.

the major hurdle

Uses "hurdle" instead of "obstacle", implying a problem that must be overcome.

the central barrier

Replaces "obstacle" with "barrier", suggesting something that prevents movement or access.

the critical issue

Replaces "obstacle" with "issue", shifting the focus to a point of debate or concern.

the biggest problem

Uses "problem" instead of "obstacle", indicating a situation that needs to be dealt with.

FAQs

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

Use "the main obstacle" to pinpoint the primary hindrance in achieving a goal. For example: "The main obstacle to securing funding is the lack of a detailed business plan."

What are some alternatives to "the main obstacle"?

You can use alternatives like "the principal impediment", "the key challenge", or "the primary difficulty" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "the main obstacle" and "a significant challenge"?

"The main obstacle" denotes the single most important hindrance, while "a significant challenge" refers to one of several important difficulties. The former is more definitive and singular, while the latter suggests multiple substantial issues.

Is it better to say "the main obstacle" or "the biggest obstacle"?

Both "the main obstacle" and "the biggest obstacle" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice depends on personal preference, although "the main obstacle" may sound slightly more formal.