to clear obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to clear obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of removing barriers or challenges that hinder progress or success. Example: "The team worked tirelessly to clear obstacles that were preventing the project from moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Plenty of others have been known to clear obstacles with more panache.

The Guardian

As in the second day's competition, penalty marks are given for failing to clear obstacles and for exceeding the time limit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All 12 of the recent deaths occurred during the cross-country phase as riders attempted to clear obstacles, including some that were startlingly simple.

The New York Times - Sports

"She was right there, every step of the way, trying to clear obstacles for Jay, looking for every trick," Dr. Mark B. Pochapin, who cared for Jay Monahan, recalls.

The New Yorker

By and large, the managers' task is not to tell the programmers what to do, but to clear obstacles from the path they choose.This is the military model turned upside down: the officers serving the enlisted men.

The Economist

Adrienne Leonard, the co-founder and chief executive of Pain to Power, said the group hoped to clear obstacles that prevent parents from keeping a street-corner vigil every school day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It calls on federal officials to help clear obstacles to construction of an oil pipeline from Azerbaijan to the Mediterranean.

The New York Times

On trade, for instance, Berman, a former labor lawyer, has supported pacts that open foreign markets to American goods and clear obstacles to countries shipping to the United States.

Los Angeles Times

Moreover, the demolition personnel came under fire from the beach, so that they failed to clear the obstacles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The few companies that have appealed a prohibition ruling did so, analysts said, largely to clear any obstacles to future acquisitions.

The New York Times

3M's acquisition of an Avery Dennison unit was in limbo on Wednesday, as the companies scrambled to clear regulatory obstacles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to clear obstacles", consider the context. Is it a physical barrier, a bureaucratic hurdle, or a personal challenge? Choose vocabulary that fits the specific situation for clearer communication.

Common error

While "to clear obstacles" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively in formal writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "to eliminate barriers" or "to facilitate progress" /s/facilitate+progress to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to clear obstacles" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to express purpose or intention. It describes the action of removing barriers to achieve a specific goal, as supported by Ludwig examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to clear obstacles" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, suitable for a variety of contexts from news and media to encyclopedias and wikis. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in describing the removal of barriers to facilitate progress. While generally neutral in tone, varying your vocabulary and avoiding overuse in highly formal contexts is recommended. Consider alternatives like "to remove impediments" or "to facilitate progress" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to remove impediments

Focuses on the act of taking away things that block progress, using more formal vocabulary.

to overcome hurdles

Emphasizes jumping over or conquering difficulties.

to eliminate barriers

Highlights the act of completely getting rid of obstacles.

to facilitate progress

Shifts the focus to making advancement easier, rather than just removing blocks.

to pave the way

Suggests preparing a route for easier passage.

to resolve difficulties

Concentrates on finding solutions to problems that hinder progress.

to iron out problems

Implies smoothing out issues to improve progress.

to mitigate challenges

Focuses on reducing the severity of difficulties.

to address setbacks

Highlights the act of dealing with problems that cause delays.

to untangle complications

Suggests resolving complex and intertwined problems.

FAQs

How can I use "to clear obstacles" in a sentence?

You can use "to clear obstacles" to describe the act of removing difficulties or barriers that prevent progress. For example: "The government implemented new policies to clear obstacles for small businesses."

What are some alternatives to "to clear obstacles"?

Some alternatives include "to remove impediments", "to overcome hurdles", or "to eliminate barriers", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "clear obstacles" or "remove obstacles"?

Both "clear obstacles" and "remove obstacles" are correct and convey similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context. "Clear" might imply a more thorough or decisive action.

What's the difference between "to clear obstacles" and "to overcome challenges"?

"To clear obstacles" focuses on removing specific barriers, while "to overcome challenges" implies a broader effort to deal with difficult situations. "To clear obstacles" is often part of a strategy to "to overcome challenges".