a great setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress or success. Example: "The unexpected loss of funding was a great setback for the research project, delaying its timeline significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This has to be a great setback".

The New York Times

The agency director, Mohamed ElBaradei, described the omission as a "great setback".

The New York Times

That would be a great setback for the rule of law.

The New York Times

That would be a great setback for Mr. Annan, who first proposed the changes, and whose future is increasingly being tied to whatever success he can have with pushing them forward.

The New York Times

The annulment of Ashley's marriage to the Hon Arthur Corbett (in court he was judged "deviant"; she "a man") in 1970 was a humiliation for Ashley and a great setback for trans people because it was established that a person must remain their birth gender in law.

The Guardian

There is broad agreement that having to wait until traditional criteria are met to harvest organs would constitute a great setback to organ transplantation (even if donation after cardiac death, which invokes traditional criteria, is permitted).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

By and large, this was not any great setback to the bosses.

The New York Times

No great setback to their cause, you might think.

The Economist

The great setback of 1996, when Birt's heavy-handed management reorganisation notoriously kept women away from the top broadcasting posts, was only temporary.

The Guardian

But he said the oil spill could be an even greater setback, potentially changing fishing conditions for years.

The New York Times

Saudi Arabia might have to share its leadership of the organisation and Iran faces an even greater setback.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great setback", ensure the context clearly identifies what progress or goal is being hindered. Provide specific details to illustrate the impact of the setback.

Common error

Avoid using "a great setback" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations with significant and demonstrable negative consequences to maintain credibility and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great setback" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It describes a significant impediment or reversal in progress, as demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great setback" is a noun phrase used to describe a significant impediment or reversal in progress. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase in written English, suitable for neutral and formal contexts. While it's frequently found in News & Media, it also appears in Science and Formal & Business writing. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies what's being hindered and avoid overstating the impact to maintain credibility. Alternatives like "significant impediment" or "major reversal" can offer nuanced emphasis. Overall, "a great setback" is a reliable way to convey a notable negative impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant impediment

Focuses on the hindering aspect, emphasizing the obstruction caused.

major reversal

Highlights the change in direction, suggesting a return to a previous state.

substantial obstacle

Emphasizes the difficulty and challenge presented by the setback.

serious difficulty

Focuses on the problematic nature of the situation caused by the setback.

considerable disadvantage

Highlights the unfavorable position resulting from the setback.

notable regression

Underscores the backward movement or decline caused by the setback.

severe blow

Emphasizes the negative impact and damaging effect of the setback.

meaningful deterioration

Focuses on the decline in quality or condition caused by the setback.

palpable decline

Underscores the noticeable reduction or weakening due to the setback.

marked downturn

Highlights the negative trend or decline in performance resulting from the setback.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great setback" to describe a situation that significantly hinders progress or success. For example: "The project faced "a great setback" when the funding was unexpectedly withdrawn."

What's a more impactful alternative to "a great setback"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "significant impediment", "major reversal", or "substantial obstacle" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of emphasis. Each alternative is described in the section above.

Is it okay to use "a great setback" in formal writing?

Yes, "a great setback" is appropriate for formal writing as it clearly and professionally communicates a significant obstacle or difficulty. According to Ludwig AI, it is a "correct phrase" in written English.

Which is correct, "a great setback" or "a big setback"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a great setback" implies a more significant and impactful obstacle than "a big setback". The choice depends on the specific degree of hindrance you want to convey.