a big setback for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a big setback for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or hindrance faced by someone or something, often in a negative context. Example: "The unexpected loss of funding was a big setback for the research project, delaying its progress significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, folks, a big setback for NASA.

The New York Times

December's airport bombing was a big setback for him.

The Economist

The loss of Pechiney is a big setback for Alcan.

The New York Times

Mr. DeChristopher said, "It's a big setback for us, obviously".

The New York Times

"I don't think it's a big setback for the government.

The New York Times

The collapse is also a big setback for Deutsche Bank, Europe's largest bank.

The New York Times

The decision was a big setback for developers of advanced television services in Germany.

The New York Times

It's a big setback for the field, but it shouldn't be that the whole field dies".

The New York Times

"It's definitely a big setback for our team," Coach Peter Laviolette said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was also a big setback for a team considered one of the favorites for the national title.

The Guardian - Sport

It was a big setback for the architects of the proposed deal, most notably Charles W. Ergen, EchoStar's chairman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a big setback for", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is negatively affected by the setback. Provide specific details about the consequences to emphasize the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a big setback for" when the issue is minor or easily resolved. Choose a less dramatic phrase to maintain credibility and avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a big setback for" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object to describe something that has experienced a significant obstacle. As confirmed by Ludwig, it indicates a notable hindrance or negative impact. This is used to frame a condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a big setback for" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant obstacle or negative event. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's primarily used in news and media, but also appears in formal business and scientific contexts. The phrase effectively conveys the negative consequences or hindrances resulting from a particular event, and while synonyms like "a major impediment for" or "a significant disadvantage for" can be used, it’s important to ensure the context accurately reflects the severity and impact of the setback. Remember to provide specific details about the consequences to emphasize the impact and avoid overstating the significance of minor issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a major impediment for

Replaces "setback" with "impediment", highlighting the obstructive nature of the event.

a significant disadvantage for

Focuses on the resulting disadvantage caused by the event.

a substantial blow to

Emphasizes the forceful and damaging aspect of the setback.

a considerable hurdle for

Highlights the challenge and difficulty resulting from the event.

a serious impediment to

Emphasizes the gravity and obstructive nature of the event, hindering progress.

a noteworthy obstacle to

Highlights the notability and obstructive nature of the challenge presented.

a large reverse for

Focuses on the regressive nature of the event, pushing things backwards.

a major challenge to

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the setback, requiring considerable effort to overcome.

a significant hurdle to

Highlights the significant difficulty resulting from the event, needing to be overcome.

an important obstacle to

Highlights the importance of the hurdle and its obstruction of forward motion.

FAQs

How can I use "a big setback for" in a sentence?

Use "a big setback for" to describe a significant obstacle or negative event that hinders progress or negatively impacts someone or something. For example, "The funding cuts were "a big setback for" the research team".

What can I say instead of "a big setback for"?

You can use alternatives like "a major impediment for", "a significant disadvantage for", or "a substantial blow to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a huge setback for" instead of "a big setback for"?

Yes, "a huge setback for" is a valid and similar phrase. The choice between "big" and "huge" depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a setback for" and "a big setback for"?

Adding "big" emphasizes the significance and impact of the setback. "A setback for" simply indicates an obstacle, while ""a big setback for"" denotes a more substantial negative impact.