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bottleneck

danielxu85

Senior Member
Mandarin Chinese
Do you think that the word "bottleneck" has been used properly in the following sentence? When using "bottleneck", do I have to add something like "development"? Could you specify the reasons?
Any other problem with this sentence?

Legislative proposals to foster a smoother charitable donation channel have been put forward since last year by many influential figures. One bottleneck is the function of the charity organizations and foundations.
Bottleneck doesn't make sense in this context.

The neck of a bottle is generally much narrower than the rest of of the bottle. Sometimes this narrowed dimension causes things to get stuck. The phrase "bottleneck" is frequently used when discussing traffic flow.

It might work if you inserted the phrase: "to this process" after bottleneck, but it still wouldn't make sense considering what comes after.

What specifically about the charities is creating difficulties?

Orange Blossom
I would say that your use of the word in this situation doesn't really sound right, and I don't think adding 'development' will help, but I'm afraid I can't really say why this is! If I gave you a reason then I run the risk of giving you the wrong reason, even if I know for sure (which I do!) that this doesn't look right!

I'm sorry that isn't much help. I'm guessing that you're using the word to suggest a potential problem? If that is the case, change the sentence to reflect that:

A potential problem is the function of the charity organisations and foundations.
Hi danielxu85,

I don't think so. A bottleneck is an obstruction in the flow of something, but you haven't told us what hat "something" is. So "bottleneck" doesn't really make much sense here. What are you intending to say?

Cheers!
Most of the charity organizations (could I just say "charities" instead of "charity orgs"?) in China could not accept donations. That's why I said their function is the bottleneck.

Am I right if I am going to use "bottleneck" in contexts other than traffic, I need to say "the bottleneck to this process/development"?
Could I just say "donations" instead of "charitable donations"?
It would make sense but it sounds a bit strange. I would say "the impediment to this process/development." And yes you can cut "charity organizations" down to "charities".
Could I just say "donations" instead of "charitable donations"?

You could, except it would no longer imply that the donations are to the needy. In a paper about charitable donations, however, you could probably alternate between adding "charitable" and not adding it.
Thanks very much, mrbilal! Am I right that "bottleneck" is used less often than "impediment" when refers to the context other than "traffic"?
Thanks very much, mrbilal! Am I right that "bottleneck" is used less often than "impediment" when refers to the context other than "traffic"?

Hi,

Very much so. It is used, but usually in more informal contexts - and even then very rarely.

Cheers!
i think you are right,it could,figuratively,even literally.
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