unavoidable obstacles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unavoidable obstacles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe challenges or difficulties that cannot be avoided or prevented in a given situation. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we encountered several unavoidable obstacles that delayed the project's completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The buyer is, in general, excused from the payment of interest as well as additional damages if the delay of payment was due to unforeseeable and unavoidable obstacles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only war, revolution, exchange restrictions, and other unforeseeable and unavoidable obstacles to performance may, under certain circumstances, excuse the buyer from his duty to pay.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is generally the case if prompt delivery becomes impracticable because of an unforeseeable and unavoidable obstacle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As touchy-feely as this might seem, education has grown into an unavoidable obstacle to co-existence, for it misinforms perceptions across the lines of conflict.

The New Yorker

By David K. Shipler November 20, 2015 Among Palestinian and Israeli teen-agers, education has grown into an unavoidable obstacle to co-existence.

The New Yorker

However, the variability of the weather phenomena is an unavoidable obstacle in the prediction of the energy produced by the solar radiation conversion.

Measurement

The challenges of measuring diagnostic errors have emerged as an unavoidable obstacle to progress in this area, particularly as the focus of research has shifted from autopsy reports 6 7 and malpractice claims 8 9 to more representative and sophisticated data sources.

BMJ Quality and Safety

In Mainland China, "HuKou", something like internal passport, is an unavoidable formidable obstacle for those migrant workers and their children, without which people cannot enjoy the local public resources, including elementary education.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Marked angular deformities and a center of rotation and angulation far from the planned osteotomy are additional geometric obstacles, and may make segmental translation unavoidable.

Acta Orthopaedica

So we succumb to the idea that difficulties, struggles, obstacles and hardships are a way of life and attached to it, there is undoubtedly, and unavoidable, feelings of sadness, frustrations and disappointments.

Huffington Post

Unavoidable conclusion".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unavoidable obstacles", ensure the context clearly indicates why the obstacles are impossible to circumvent. Providing specific reasons strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "unavoidable obstacles" for minor inconveniences. Reserve the phrase for significant challenges that genuinely cannot be avoided, or you risk sounding hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unavoidable obstacles" functions as a noun phrase typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes the inevitability and insurmountability of certain problems or difficulties. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is perfectly correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unavoidable obstacles" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe challenges that cannot be avoided. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively infrequent, it appears in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications, indicating a versatile yet somewhat formal register. Alternatives such as "insurmountable barriers" or "inevitable challenges" can offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the strong implication of inevitability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insurmountable barriers

Highlights the impossibility of overcoming the obstacle; emphasizes the degree of difficulty.

inevitable challenges

Focuses on the certainty of facing difficulties; emphasizes that it is bound to happen.

unforeseeable hurdles

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the problems; less about being impossible to circumvent.

inescapable difficulties

Highlights the inability to escape the problems; closer to unavoidable but focuses on the negative outcome.

uncontrollable impediments

Focuses on the lack of control over the obstruction; emphasizes the cause of the blockage.

unpreventable setbacks

Highlights the impossibility of stopping the problem; focuses on delay and obstruction.

necessary evils

Implies the obstacles are unpleasant but required; shifts focus onto acceptance of the problems.

built-in limitations

Highlights restrictions inherent to the situation, like design or structure; less about specific events.

inherent constraints

Emphasizes limitations that are a natural part of something; focuses more on continuous restriction.

predetermined hindrances

Highlights the fact that the obstacles were already set; it shifts from something that could happen to something that was planned.

FAQs

How can I use "unavoidable obstacles" in a sentence?

You can use "unavoidable obstacles" to describe difficulties that cannot be prevented or bypassed. For example: "Despite careful planning, we encountered several "unavoidable obstacles" during the project".

What are some alternatives to "unavoidable obstacles"?

Some alternatives include "insurmountable barriers", "inevitable challenges", or "inescapable difficulties", depending on the specific context.

Is "unavoidable obstacles" formal or informal?

"Unavoidable obstacles" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation being described.

What's the difference between "unavoidable obstacles" and "difficult challenges"?

"Unavoidable obstacles" emphasizes that the challenges cannot be bypassed or prevented. "Difficult challenges" simply indicates that the challenges are hard to overcome, without necessarily implying they are impossible to avoid.