the obstacle is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the obstacle is" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when identifying or discussing a specific challenge or barrier in a situation. Example: "In this project, the obstacle is the lack of funding, which hinders our progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The obstacle is greed.

The Guardian - Opinion

The obstacle is Gordon Brown.

The Guardian

"Oliver Twist" stumbles, and the obstacle is Fagin.

The New Yorker

"The obstacle is us," Kelsey says.

The Guardian

"But the obstacle is getting them in the building".

The New York Times

The obstacle is not the will or the means.

The Guardian - Opinion

The obstacle is terrorism, the victims are largely Muslim.

The Guardian

As Adam Phillips once said, "The obstacle is a way of not letting something else happen".

The New Yorker

But other scientists argue that the obstacle is not graphene's physical properties.

The New Yorker

The obstacle is not economic science but, as usual, America's raging political battles.

The New York Times

But when the obstacle is, say, China, it is a different order of challenge.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the obstacle is", clearly and concisely identify what the barrier is to ensure clarity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "the obstacle is" without clearly specifying what the obstacle actually is. For example, instead of saying "The obstacle is obvious", state "The obstacle is the lack of funding."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the obstacle is" functions as a declarative statement identifying a specific barrier or challenge. It serves to highlight the primary impediment hindering progress or achievement, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the obstacle is" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that serves to identify a specific challenge or barrier. As evidenced by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, making it suitable for a wide range of writing purposes. Although it is clear and versatile, it should be used with specific details, according to Ludwig AI, to avoid vagueness and to maintain clarity for the audience. Related phrases, such as "the challenge is" and "the problem is", offer semantically similar alternatives that can be used depending on the specific nuances you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the problem is

This is a more direct way of stating the difficulty.

the challenge is

This alternative emphasizes the difficulty as a test of one's abilities.

the barrier is

This alternative focuses on something that prevents movement or progress.

the main issue is

This highlights the most important problem to address.

the limitation is

This alternative highlights a restrictive factor.

the impediment is

This phrase denotes something that hinders progress.

the constraint is

This focuses on a limitation or restriction.

the stumbling block is

This indicates a major problem that causes one to hesitate or fail.

the bottleneck is

This alternative specifies something that is slowing down progress.

the difficulty lies in

This alternative focuses on where the problem or challenge is situated.

FAQs

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

You can use "the obstacle is" to introduce a problem or challenge that needs to be overcome. For example, "The obstacle is lack of resources, but we can find solutions."

What are some alternatives to "the obstacle is"?

Some alternatives to "the obstacle is" include "the challenge is", "the problem is", or "the difficulty lies in".

Is there a difference between "the obstacle is" and "the problem is"?

While similar, "the obstacle is" often implies something that can be overcome, whereas "the problem is" can refer to a broader, potentially less solvable issue.

Which is more formal, "the obstacle is" or "the challenge is"?

"The obstacle is" and "the challenge is" are generally interchangeable in formal writing, though "the challenge" might be perceived as slightly more positive in tone.