the primary obstacle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the primary obstacle" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main challenge or difficulty in a particular situation or context. Example: "The primary obstacle to achieving our goals is the lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is doctors who seem to be the primary obstacle.

The New York Times

Indeed, the primary obstacle to large-scale repatriation now is security.

The New York Times

Many analysts said the primary obstacle to attracting more police candidates was pay.

The New York Times

"Crime is the primary obstacle to development in Latin America," Mr. Maduro said in an interview.

The New York Times

Hungarian control of Belgrade became the primary obstacle to large-scale advances north of the Danube.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kramer explains that the primary obstacle to this potentially win-win situation is health concerns.

The Guardian

"The primary obstacle to shale gas in Europe is politics," said Mr. Burchett of IHS.

The New York Times

But, he said in a telephone interview, security was not the primary obstacle to the distribution of aid.

The New York Times

Robert Tisch, a co-owner of the Giants, said the primary obstacle to an agreement was over how much the team would pay to take over the stadium.

The New York Times - Sports

"What drives me nuts," he said, " is that the environmental movement itself has become the primary obstacle to reducing fossil fuel emissions.

The New York Times

The Huskies won the battle for Moore's services and, not coincidentally, have emerged as the primary obstacle in the Lady Vols' path to repeating as N.C.A.A. champions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "main challenge" or "key barrier" for variety in your writing, especially when you are repeating the phrase multiple times within a short span of text.

Common error

Avoid presenting minor inconveniences as "the primary obstacle". Reserve this phrase for truly significant impediments that fundamentally hinder progress or success. Using it for trivial matters dilutes its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the primary obstacle" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It identifies the principal impediment preventing progress or success. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase clearly defines a major challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the primary obstacle" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to identify the main hindrance or challenge in a given situation. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, science, and business contexts, indicating its broad applicability across formal and neutral registers. While many alternative phrases exist, such as "main impediment" or "key barrier", the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to ensure clarity. The Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the main impediment

Replaces 'obstacle' with 'impediment' and 'primary' with 'main', emphasizing the hindering aspect.

the biggest challenge

Substitutes 'obstacle' with 'challenge', highlighting the difficulty involved.

the key barrier

Replaces 'obstacle' with 'barrier', focusing on the restrictive nature of the hindrance.

the chief difficulty

Uses 'difficulty' instead of 'obstacle', emphasizing the problematic nature.

the major stumbling block

Replaces 'obstacle' with 'stumbling block', a more figurative way of expressing a hindrance.

the principal hurdle

Uses 'hurdle' to convey an obstacle that needs to be overcome.

the foremost problem

Substitutes 'obstacle' with 'problem', highlighting the issue that needs to be resolved.

the greatest impediment

Replaces 'primary' with 'greatest', emphasizing the magnitude of the hindrance.

the critical limitation

Uses 'limitation' to suggest a restriction that prevents progress.

the central issue

Replaces 'obstacle' with 'issue', focusing on the core problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "the primary obstacle" to highlight the main hindrance or challenge in a situation. For example, "The primary obstacle to completing the project is a lack of funding."

What phrases are similar to "the primary obstacle"?

Alternatives to "the primary obstacle" include "the main impediment", "the biggest challenge", or "the key barrier" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "primary obstacle" or "main obstacle"?

"Primary obstacle" and "main obstacle" are often interchangeable. "Primary" suggests it's first in importance, while "main" indicates it's the most significant. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

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

"The primary obstacle" indicates there's one key impediment that is the most important. "A significant obstacle" suggests there are multiple obstacles, and this one is just particularly noteworthy but not necessarily the most impactful.