In setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "In setback" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a situation involving a setback, but it lacks the necessary context or structure to be usable. Example: "In the face of a setback, we must remain resilient and adapt our strategies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

DealBook » Jury Rules for Cuban in Setback for S.E.C. | The loss in the Mark Cuban case could reignite concerns about the agency's struggles in the courtroom.

The New York Times

A11 Beliefs A12 NEW YORK/REGION B1-7 2-AttaClaimaim Rejected In Setback for Silverstein The United States Court of Appeals rejected the argument that there were two separate attacks on the World Trade Center, requiring two insurance payouts.

The New York Times

Re "G.O.P. Senator Plans Shift, Giving Democrats Control in Setback for White House" (front page, May 24): Senator James M. Jeffords has acted in accordance with the spirit of a long line of courageous American politicians who were guided by conscience, not by party affiliation.

The New York Times

Re: "In Setback Over a Tower, A Plan to Stay the Course" (April 18), about Memorial Sloan-Kettering's proposal for a high-rise research center on the Upper East Side: I presume that residents near the planned Memorial Sloan-Kettering research center, who are trying to appeal a court decision giving a green light to a 23-story tower, are not opposed to finding a cure for cancer.

The New York Times

The results of this study demonstrate that increases in setback distances can greatly reduce the availability of rural land for the siting of livestock facilities, even in rural counties with low population densities.

The Professional Animal Scientist

Yes, do what you enjoy...you can only connect the dots after the fact...there's opportunity in setback... Excellent!

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Despite what might be called the built-in setbacks of trying to preserve such a species, Stojanovic is hopeful a direct intervention approach will work.

The Guardian

For some investors, there's no shame in setbacks.

The New York Times

One could argue that all three endeavours ended in setbacks.

The Guardian

Between those engagements, Allison expects them to see opportunity in setbacks.

Forbes

The lack of an automated system has resulted in setbacks in the administration of justice and availability of statistics and qualitative data pertaining to children.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a setback, provide specific context to clarify the nature and impact of the setback. For example, specify what was set back and to what extent.

Common error

Avoid using "in setback" without clearly specifying what is being referenced. Always ensure there's a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in setback" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often intended to introduce a condition or state resulting from a negative event. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it lacks context and is not typically considered grammatically correct. The examples show attempts to use it in various contexts but often require rephrasing for clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in setback" is grammatically dubious and lacks clarity. As Ludwig AI underlines, it is best to avoid this phrase and opt for clearer, more context-rich alternatives such as "despite the setback", "after experiencing a setback", or "following the setback". These alternatives provide better clarity and ensure correct grammatical usage. While the phrase might appear in varied sources, its ambiguous nature makes it unsuitable for professional or formal communication. It's more effective to explicitly state the context of the setback for improved understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Experiencing a setback

This alternative directly describes the act of undergoing a setback.

Challenged by a setback

This alternative directly describes the act of being challenged by the setback.

Despite the setback

This alternative emphasizes resilience and continuation of efforts despite the obstacle.

Confronted with a setback

Highlights the act of facing and dealing with a setback.

Following a setback

This alternative specifies the temporal sequence, focusing on events that occur after a setback.

In the wake of a setback

Emphasizes the consequences and aftermath of a setback.

After a reversal

Uses 'reversal' as a synonym, indicating a change to an opposite direction or condition.

Set back by

Passive construction, indicating the cause of the setback.

Facing a hindrance

Uses 'hindrance' as a similar concept, stressing the obstacle.

After encountering difficulties

This alternative focuses on facing general challenges or difficulties.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the term "in setback" in a sentence?

While the phrase "in setback" is not typically used correctly, you can rephrase to clarify its meaning. For example, instead of "in setback", consider using phrases like "experiencing a setback" or "despite the setback" to provide context and improve clarity.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "in setback"?

Alternatives to "in setback" include "after a reversal", "despite the setback", or "following a setback". The best choice depends on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "in setback"?

The phrase "in setback" by itself is grammatically questionable. It requires additional context to make sense. It's more common and clearer to use phrases like "facing a hindrance" or "experiencing difficulties" for better grammatical accuracy.

What's the difference between "in setback" and "despite a setback"?

"In setback" is incomplete and grammatically awkward, while "despite a setback" indicates that something is happening even though there's been a reversal or obstacle. "Despite a setback" is the correct and clearer way to phrase this idea.