unforeseen hurdles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unforeseen hurdles" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe unexpected challenges or obstacles. Example: "Despite our thorough planning, we were not prepared for the unforeseen hurdles that came our way during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Its longstanding expansion plans face two unforeseen hurdles.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A statement from Animal Planet described the ship's seizure as "an unforeseen hurdle," and Sea Shepherd says it must post a bond of about $1.4 million or it will lose the ship.

The New York Times

After all, it's coming to the market bearing any major unforeseen hurdle and might be the best chance the tablet market has to spur true competition and innovation.

TechCrunch

Whether it's on a whim or after meticulous planning, there are always unforeseen obstacles and hurdles on your journey to success.

Huffington Post

Other, less tangible aspects of druggability are much harder to predict, including any "experimental hurdles" and unforeseen adverse effects, until trialed [ 57].

Cell Regeneration

Such hurdles, often unforeseen, were either dealt with efficiently without interrupting launch implementation, or were met with poorly coordinated problem-solving or a lack of necessary involvement from organizational leadership.

BMC Nursing

Stepan uses the colorful and compelling personality and strengths of Soper, the political complexities of international work, and the unforeseen conflict of insecticidal vector control with the advent of environmentalism to illustrate the considerable hurdles involved in any program of disease eradication, no matter how initially successful and promising.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Unforeseen events were everywhere.

The New York Times

Unforeseen events occur.

The New Yorker

"That's unforeseen.

The New York Times - Sports

An unforeseen crisis?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unforeseen hurdles", ensure the context clearly establishes what was planned or expected beforehand, making the contrast with the unexpected challenges more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "unforeseen hurdles" when the challenges were, in fact, predictable with reasonable foresight. The term implies a genuine lack of anticipation, not a failure to prepare for known risks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen hurdles" functions as a noun phrase, where "unforeseen" modifies "hurdles". It describes obstacles that were not anticipated. Ludwig confirms its grammatically correctness and common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unforeseen hurdles" describes unexpected challenges or obstacles. Grammatically correct and readily understood, it commonly appears in News & Media and Science contexts. Ludwig confirms its validity and explains that it is used to emphasize unanticipated problems. While various alternatives exist, such as "unexpected obstacles" or "unanticipated challenges", it's crucial to ensure that the hurdles were genuinely unforeseen and not merely predictable risks. Using the phrase effectively highlights the complexities introduced by surprise difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen difficulties

A synonymous alternative, maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

unforeseen complications

A near synonym, highlighting the unexpected and intricate nature of the difficulties.

unexpected obstacles

Focuses on the element of surprise and the nature of the barriers encountered.

unanticipated challenges

Highlights the unforeseen aspect and the demanding nature of the situation.

surprise setbacks

Emphasizes the element of surprise and the hindering effect on progress.

unpredicted difficulties

Stresses the lack of foresight and the problematic nature of the circumstances.

unanticipated roadblocks

Emphasizes the sudden and obstructive nature of the difficulties.

unexpected impediments

Highlights the hindering nature of the obstacles and the surprise element.

unpredicted complications

Highlights the lack of foresight and the intricate nature of the problems.

surprise stumbling blocks

Focuses on the unexpected nature of the problems and their potential to cause missteps.

FAQs

How can I use "unforeseen hurdles" in a sentence?

You can use "unforeseen hurdles" to describe unexpected challenges that arise during a project, event, or endeavor. For example: "Despite careful planning, the company faced "unforeseen hurdles" during the product launch."

What's a good alternative to "unforeseen hurdles"?

Alternatives to "unforeseen hurdles" include "unexpected obstacles", "unanticipated challenges", or "surprise setbacks", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say 'unexpected unforeseen hurdles'?

Yes, using both 'unexpected' and 'unforeseen' is redundant because they both convey a lack of anticipation. It's best to choose one or the other, such as simply saying "unforeseen hurdles" or "unexpected hurdles".

What kind of situations typically involve "unforeseen hurdles"?

"Unforeseen hurdles" often arise in complex projects, business ventures, or personal endeavors where complete predictability is impossible. They can stem from market changes, technological failures, or unexpected regulatory issues.