a preliminary setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a preliminary setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an initial obstacle or difficulty encountered before achieving a goal or making progress. Example: "Despite facing a preliminary setback in the project timeline, the team remained optimistic about meeting the final deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

After a preliminary setback, Piccinino was summoned to Milan; as soon as he left, Sforza attacked, capturing Piccinino's son Francesco and inflicting a decisive defeat.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

China’s ambitions to build a world-class auto industry suffered a setback Wednesday when the World Trade Organization issued a preliminary ruling that condemned Beijing's discriminatory use of tariffs against foreign car parts.

Forbes

Efforts by television networks to stop the Dish Network from supplying its customers an automatic ad-skipping device were dealt another setback on Wednesday when a federal appeals court declined to issue a preliminary injunction against Dish.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court overturned a preliminary injunction on the sale of Samsung Electronics Co Ltd's Galaxy Nexus smartphone on Thursday, dealing a setback to Apple Inc in its battle against Google Inc's increasingly popular mobile software.

Huffington Post

A preliminary autopsy was inconclusive.

The New York Times

"It's a preliminary investigation.

The New York Times - Science

The investigation is called a preliminary evaluation.

The New York Times

A preliminary judicial investigation has been opened.

The New York Times

Last week, he submitted a preliminary proxy filing.

The New York Times

A preliminary investigation ruled out murder-suicide.

The New York Times

A preliminary hearing was held Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a preliminary setback", ensure the context clearly indicates that the setback is not a major, long-term issue, but rather a temporary or initial obstacle.

Common error

Avoid using "a preliminary setback" to describe significant, long-lasting issues. This phrase implies the problem is minor and early in the process. For major issues, consider using "a significant obstacle" or "a major challenge" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a preliminary setback" functions as a noun phrase. It describes a noun (setback) with the adjective "preliminary", indicating the timing or significance of the setback. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in describing an initial obstacle.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a preliminary setback" is a noun phrase used to describe an initial or minor obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct. The analysis suggests that while the phrase appears across various contexts like news, encyclopedias, and science, it is relatively infrequent. The phrase is most appropriate when the goal is to acknowledge an initial difficulty without overstating its significance, maintaining a neutral tone. When the obstacle is significant, it's better to use "a major setback" or "a significant challenge".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an initial impediment

Replaces "setback" with "impediment", indicating an obstruction or hindrance at the beginning.

a minor hiccup

Substitutes "setback" with "hiccup", suggesting a small, temporary problem.

an early difficulty

Replaces "preliminary setback" with a more general term for an initial challenge.

a first obstacle

Uses "obstacle" instead of "setback", emphasizing a barrier to overcome at the start.

a temporary reverse

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the setback.

a short-term snag

Replaces "setback" with "snag", implying a minor problem that needs to be resolved.

a small delay

Focuses on the delay aspect of the setback.

an initial challenge

Highlights the challenging aspect of the situation at the beginning.

a starting problem

Simple substitution focusing on the problem occurring at the beginning.

a fledgling issue

Describes the issue as being in its early stages.

FAQs

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

You can use "a preliminary setback" to describe an initial obstacle or difficulty encountered. For example: "Despite facing "a preliminary setback" in negotiations, the deal was eventually finalized."

What's a good alternative to "a preliminary setback"?

Alternatives include "an initial impediment", "a minor hiccup", or "an early difficulty", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a preliminary setback" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing initial challenges in projects, research, or negotiations. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document.

What's the difference between "a preliminary setback" and "a major setback"?

"A preliminary setback" indicates a minor, early issue that doesn't significantly derail progress. "A major setback" implies a more substantial problem that could have serious consequences and requires significant adjustments.