to stand in the way
Loading your saved state.
to stand in the way
To be an obstacle or impediment to something; to prevent or make something more difficult. The verb is often used with a dative object that indicates who or what something stands in the way of.
Dem Bau des neuen Windparks stehen noch rechtliche Bedenken entgegen.
Legal concerns still stand in the way of building the new wind farm.
'Entgegenstehen' (to stand in the way) is a separable verb. The prefix 'entgegen' comes at the end of the sentence in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, the verb stays together.
Dem Plan stehen finanzielle Probleme entgegen.
Financial problems stand in the way of the plan.
This verb is always used with the dative. The thing that is being hindered is in the dative. The question is: Wem oder was steht etwas entgegen? (Who or what does something stand in the way of?)
Seiner Karriere standen oft seine eigenen Zweifel entgegen.
His own doubts often stood in the way of his career.
The subject, meaning the obstacle, is often an abstract noun. Common examples are: concerns, interests, laws, or regulations.
Der schnellen Umsetzung stehen bürokratische Hürden entgegen.
Bureaucratic obstacles stand in the way of quick implementation.
to prevent
'verhindern' and 'entgegenstehen' can both have to do with an obstacle. However, 'verhindern' describes an action or effect: someone or something makes sure that something does not happen. 'entgegenstehen' more often describes a reason or problem that stands in the way. It is often used with the dative, for example: 'Dem Plan steht nichts entgegen' (Nothing stands in the way of the plan). Learners may confuse the words because both explain why something does not work out. 'verhindern' sounds more active, while 'entgegenstehen' more often names the obstacle itself.
Dem Ausflug steht nur noch das schlechte Wetter entgegen.
Only the bad weather still stands in the way of the trip.
Ein technischer Fehler verhindert heute den Start der Online-Anmeldung.
A technical error is preventing the online registration from starting today.