a partial setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a partial setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there has been a minor or incomplete failure or obstacle in progress. Example: "Despite the challenges we faced, the team managed to recover quickly from a partial setback in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Abu-Jamal's lawyers called the decision a partial setback.

The Guardian

Adoption of the compromise proposal on bank regulation was a partial setback for the banking industry, which would like to avoid having to comply with state laws that are sometimes stricter than federal rules.

The New York Times

The state's plan was dealt a partial setback on Tuesday, when a federal judge in Buffalo temporarily stopped the state from taxing the sales of cigarettes to non-Indians by two of New York's largest tribes, the Seneca and Cayuga Nations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Close study of the interval between the peaks of the Juglar cycle suggests that partial setbacks occur during the expansion, or upswing, and that there are partial recoveries during the contraction, or downswing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even a partial breakup would be a momentous setback for the European Union, including for the 11 member states that have not, or not yet, joined the euro.

The New York Times

The outcome was a partial victory for the telephone industry and privacy groups that had challenged the order, and was a setback for the government, which must now consider revising its rules for electronic surveillance of wireless communications.

The New York Times

A partial list follows.

The New Yorker

A partial transcript follows.

The New Yorker

This presents a partial view.

The Guardian

But only a partial one.

The Economist

A partial government shutdown looms.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation that faces both positive and negative developments, use "a partial setback" to accurately depict that progress is not entirely halted.

Common error

Avoid using "a partial setback" when the obstacle completely halts progress; instead, opt for stronger terms like "significant setback" or "major failure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a partial setback" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing a temporary or incomplete impediment to progress.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a partial setback" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a situation where progress faces a minor or incomplete obstacle. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness and provides context, highlighting its use in news reporting and analytical discussions. While less common, the phrase is appropriate for formal and neutral contexts, offering a balanced perspective on developments that aren't entirely negative. Alternatives like "a minor impediment" or "a slight regression" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Using "a partial setback" accurately requires considering the scope and impact of the obstacle to avoid overstating the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a minor impediment

Replaces "setback" with "impediment", suggesting a less severe obstacle.

a slight regression

Substitutes "setback" with "regression", indicating a return to a previous state, but to a small degree.

a limited drawback

Uses "drawback" instead of "setback", implying a disadvantage that is not complete.

a temporary hitch

Replaces "setback" with "hitch", meaning a temporary problem or obstacle.

a moderate obstacle

Changes "setback" to "obstacle", suggesting something that blocks progress to some degree.

a contained reversal

Uses "reversal" to suggest a change to an opposite direction that is contained and not total.

a fractional delay

Replaces "setback" with "delay", emphasizing the time aspect of the hindrance and its incomplete nature.

a localized difficulty

Suggests that the problem is limited to a specific area, not affecting the whole.

an incomplete obstruction

Highlights the obstruction but specifies that it is not fully preventing progress.

a marginal hurdle

Implies that the obstacle is small and easily overcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "a partial setback" to describe a situation where progress has been hindered but not completely stopped. For example, "The project experienced "a partial setback" due to unforeseen circumstances, but the team is working to overcome it."

What can I say instead of "a partial setback"?

You can use alternatives like "a minor impediment", "a slight regression", or "a limited drawback" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a partial setback" in formal writing?

Yes, "a partial setback" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and conveys a nuanced meaning. However, always consider your audience and the specific context to ensure it's the most fitting choice.

What's the difference between "a partial setback" and "a complete failure"?

"A partial setback" implies that some progress was made and there's still potential for recovery. "A complete failure", on the other hand, indicates that the endeavor was entirely unsuccessful and likely cannot be salvaged.