Grammar fix
a stumbling block
figurative obstacle or difficulty
something that prevents progress or makes it more difficult to achieve something, especially in a process or discussion.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Lack of funding proved to be a major stumbling block for the project.
One stumbling block many students face when studying abroad is adapting to a new educational system, which can be quite different from what they're used to.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Cost was a stumbling block for the deal.
Say: Cost was a stumbling block to the deal.
'A stumbling block TO something'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Principal impediment' is formal; 'stumbling block' is the everyday metaphor.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
a stumbling block to
- to
- the main
- a major
- prove