- Have you ever wondered if you should “cross” an obstacle or “overcome” it?
- Do you know which preposition naturally follows the word “obstacle”—is it to, for, or with?
- Are you looking for more sophisticated alternatives to the word “problem” in your professional writing?
Mastering obstacle collocations is a vital step toward achieving English fluency. Instead of translating word-for-word from your native language, learning these natural word pairings allows you to speak and write more efficiently, reducing “Language Anxiety” and helping you sound like a native speaker in both academic and business environments.
Essential Collocations using OBSTACLE as a Noun
In modern English, “obstacle” is almost exclusively used as a noun. It refers to something that blocks one’s way or prevents progress. To use it correctly, we must look at the adjectives that describe it and the verbs that act upon it.
Adjectives: Describing the Size and Difficulty
In 2024, native speakers use specific adjectives to qualify how difficult a challenge is. Using “big” is okay, but the following are much more common in professional settings:
- Major obstacle: A very significant or serious problem.
Example: Lack of funding remains a major obstacle to our expansion. - Formidable obstacle: A challenge that is very difficult to overcome and perhaps a bit scary.
Example: The mountain range presented a formidable obstacle to the early explorers. - Insurmountable obstacle: A problem that is impossible to solve or get past.
Example: They eventually divorced because they faced insurmountable obstacles in their relationship. - Hidden obstacle: A problem that was not expected or seen at first.
Example: Always read the fine print to look for hidden obstacles in a contract.
Verbs: Actions Taken Regarding Obstacles
How do you deal with an obstacle? These verbs are the most frequent pairings found in modern English corpora:
- Encounter / Face an obstacle: To meet or come across a problem.
Example: We encountered several obstacles during the first phase of the project. - Overcome an obstacle: To successfully deal with or get past a problem.
Example: She had to overcome many obstacles to earn her PhD. - Remove / Clear an obstacle: To get rid of the thing that is blocking progress.
Example: The new law aims to remove obstacles for small business owners. - Place / Put obstacles in someone’s way: To make things difficult for someone else.
Example: I feel like my manager is placing obstacles in my way to prevent my promotion.
Prepositional Patterns
One of the most common errors for ESL learners is choosing the wrong preposition after “obstacle.”
- Obstacle to: This is the standard preposition used to indicate what is being blocked.
Example: A lack of sleep is a serious obstacle to productivity.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Major obstacle | Adj + Noun | A very large or important problem. |
| Overcome an obstacle | Verb + Noun | To successfully get past a challenge. |
| Encounter an obstacle | Verb + Noun | To unexpectedly meet a problem. |
| Obstacle to progress | Noun + Prep + Noun | Something stopping forward movement. |
| Remove obstacles | Verb + Noun | To eliminate difficulties. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
To reduce language interference, stop translating directly from your native tongue and focus on these common corrections:
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Open the obstacle | Remove/Clear the obstacle |
| An obstacle for success | An obstacle to success |
| Win an obstacle | Overcome an obstacle |
| A heavy obstacle | A major/formidable obstacle |
“In my recent project, we encountered a major obstacle when the software update failed. However, by working overtime, the team managed to overcome the obstacle within 48 hours. We realized that poor communication was the primary obstacle to progress, so we have implemented new protocols to remove obstacles for future collaborations.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Obstacle Collocations
Is it correct to say “obstacle for” or “obstacle to”?
While “for” is occasionally heard, “to” is the standard and most linguistically accurate preposition used by native speakers (e.g., “An obstacle to growth”). Use “to” to ensure your writing sounds professional and natural.
What is the difference between an “obstacle” and a “hurdle”?
An “obstacle” is a general term for anything that blocks you. A “hurdle” is often used metaphorically for a specific stage in a process that you must “jump over” or complete (e.g., “The final hurdle before graduation”). Both are often used interchangeably in business.
Can I use “big” to describe an obstacle?
Yes, “big obstacle” is grammatically correct and common in casual speech. However, in academic or professional writing, using “major,” “significant,” or “formidable” will provide more precision and higher lexical range.
Does “obstacle” have a verb form?
In modern English, “obstacle” is only used as a noun. If you need a verb that means to create an obstacle, use “obstruct,” “hinder,” or “impede.”
Is “insurmountable obstacle” too dramatic for business?
Not at all. It is a common collocation used to describe a problem that is so large the current plan cannot continue. It signals that a major change of direction is needed.
When should I use 'an obstacle' versus 'obstacles'? Is it always 'an obstacle to success' or can it be 'obstacles to success'?
Excellent question, Olga! You can definitely use both singular and plural forms depending on the context. If you're referring to one specific challenge, 'an obstacle to success' is correct. If there are multiple difficulties, 'obstacles to success' is perfectly natural and common. For instance, 'Lack of funding is *an* obstacle,' but 'Lack of funding and skilled personnel are *obstacles*.' Your attention to countability is a sign of advanced learning!
Clear, concise, and incredibly useful. This is why I love Translateen.com!
I like 'formidable obstacle' very much. Does 'formidable' imply more about the *size* of the obstacle or the *difficulty* in overcoming it, or both?
Great question, Sophie! 'Formidable' with 'obstacle' primarily emphasizes the *difficulty* and the daunting nature of overcoming it. While it often implies a significant *size* or scale, its core meaning here is about how challenging and intimidating it is to tackle. It suggests something that inspires apprehension due to its apparent strength or difficulty. You're mastering the nuances!
I used to translate 'difficulty' directly, but now I see 'obstacle' is much more specific and often more accurate. Thank you!
Are there any notable differences in how 'obstacle' collocations are used between US and UK English, or is it generally quite consistent across different English varieties?
That's a perceptive question, Emily! For 'obstacle' and its core collocations (like 'major obstacle,' 'overcome an obstacle,' 'obstacle to progress'), the usage is remarkably consistent across US and UK English, as well as other global English varieties. It's a fundamental concept, so you can generally use these pairings confidently no matter where you're communicating! Great to see you thinking about linguistic variations!
I'm always looking for content that helps my students sound more natural. This article hits the mark perfectly! Will recommend it.
What about a 'minor obstacle'? Is that also common, or do people usually just say 'small problem' for less significant things?
Excellent question, Finn! 'Minor obstacle' is absolutely correct and commonly used for less significant challenges, especially in professional contexts where you still want to maintain a slightly formal tone. It's a great alternative to 'small problem' when you need that specific nuance! Keep exploring these variations!
The mention of 'Language Anxiety' is so spot on. These collocation lessons really build confidence. I'm feeling less hesitant to speak up in meetings now.
Could you give one or two more examples of 'obstacle to [something]'? I want to make sure I'm using the 'to' preposition correctly.
Absolutely, Kai! Here are a couple more examples: 'Poor infrastructure can be an obstacle to economic development.' 'Lack of clear communication often proves to be an obstacle to team cohesion.' Remember, 'obstacle to' implies that the obstacle is preventing or hindering the *achievement* of the noun that follows 'to'. You're doing great!
Very useful. Thank you!