a considerable setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a considerable setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or hindrance that affects progress or success in a particular situation. Example: "The unexpected loss of funding resulted in a considerable setback for the research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

That was always going to be a considerable setback.

The Guardian - Sport

That was a considerable setback for an unelected, already unpopular President like Truman.

The New Yorker

John Terry, nursing a sprained ankle, would probably not have started anyway, but Hazard's absence represents a considerable setback.

The Guardian - Sport

THE cause of serious eating in Bergen County suffered a considerable setback in 1999, when Jamie Milkman left Jamie's, his namesake restaurant in Englewood Cliffs.

The New York Times

The absence of their captain would be a considerable setback for City given that they will also be without the suspended Yaya Touré and the latest bulletin on David Silva's knee injury indicates he might not be fully fit either.

The Guardian - Sport

Plainly, the alternative would be a considerable setback for Van Gaal given the consistently upward trajectory of De Gea's career since those early days in Manchester when he could be a danger to his own team and Eric Steele, then United's goalkeeping coach, talked of him being a poor trainer, "lazy" when it came to learning English, and eating "too many tacos".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Aleksandr Zheleznyakov, a scientist with the Federation of Russian Cosmonautics, said the latest mishap was "a considerable blow to the industry's image, particularly taking into account our many setbacks in the last couple of years".

The New York Times

It's unclear if the considerable setback SpaceX just experienced via the loss of a Falcon 9 rocket and Facebook's expensive Internet.org satellite this week will impact those timelines.

TechCrunch

Paul G. Allen, who founded Microsoft with Bill Gates but left the company years ago, also had considerable setbacks in his investment portfolio this year.

The New York Times

With new information from a reporter on the front lines, it reported instead something far less optimistic: that allied forces had faced considerable setbacks in Karbala, about 70 miles south of Baghdad, and could even be undermanned there.

The New York Times

The 12 years that passed between her two encounters with "Sight Unseen" brought her great success, but also considerable setbacks, neither of which she could have imagined at the time she was first cast.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable setback" to describe situations where progress has been significantly hampered, but not completely halted. It suggests a temporary difficulty that can potentially be overcome.

Common error

Avoid using "a considerable setback" when the situation represents a complete and irreversible failure. The phrase implies a degree of recoverability, so choose stronger language like "catastrophe" or "complete failure" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable setback" functions as a noun phrase that describes a significant negative event or obstacle that hinders progress. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It typically serves as the subject complement or object in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a considerable setback" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe a significant hindrance or reversal in progress. Ludwig AI identifies it as suitable for written English. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as in the sports context, it conveys a noteworthy impediment that affects a situation or endeavor. Alternatives include "a significant impediment" or "a major obstacle". While implying recoverability, it's important to avoid overstating the impact and using it for irreversible failures. The phrase maintains a neutral register, appropriate for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant impediment

Replaces "setback" with "impediment", emphasizing the hindering aspect.

a major obstacle

Substitutes "considerable setback" with "major obstacle", highlighting the challenge presented.

a substantial reversal

Replaces "setback" with "reversal", focusing on the change in direction or progress.

a noteworthy disadvantage

Uses "disadvantage" instead of "setback", emphasizing the unfavorable position resulting from the situation.

a serious difficulty

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the situation using "difficulty".

a marked regression

Focuses on the backward movement or decline caused by the event.

a painful blow

Highlights the negative impact and emotional aspect of the setback.

a tough break

An informal way of expressing an unfortunate setback.

a step backwards

Illustrates the setback as a movement away from progress.

a challenge to overcome

Presents the setback as something that needs to be conquered.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable setback" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable setback" to describe situations where progress has been significantly hampered. For example: "The budget cuts represent "a considerable setback" for the research team".

What are some alternatives to "a considerable setback"?

Alternatives include "a significant impediment", "a major obstacle", or "a substantial reversal", depending on the specific context.

Is "a considerable setback" formal or informal?

"A considerable setback" is generally considered neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, as indicated by its usage in diverse sources like news reports and academic papers.

What's the difference between "a considerable setback" and "a minor setback"?

"A considerable setback" implies a significant negative impact on progress, while "a minor setback" suggests only a small or temporary delay. The choice depends on the severity of the situation.