a substantial setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial 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 substantial setback for the research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"That was a substantial setback for Vitro and a substantial victory for the holdouts".

The New York Times

While these tactics conformed to the national government's political priorities, they were a substantial setback for municipal Shanghai's global aspirations.

Yale University

The judgment is a substantial setback for the prime minister, Theresa May, who wants to set the exit process in motion by March.

The Guardian

"This could represent a substantial setback to their program," David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, a private group in Washington that tracks nuclear proliferation, said of the problem behind the Bushehr upset.

The New York Times

So when an athlete or a businessperson veers off course, it can create a substantial setback — one that could take years to recover from, if at all.

Forbes

Fibrosis poses a substantial setback in regenerative medicine.

Fibrogenesis and Tissue Repair

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mr. Bush spoke only hours before the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the results of manual recounts in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties must be included in Florida's final vote totals, a substantial legal setback for his brother.

The New York Times

Defeat would be a substantial political setback, not unlike the one President Bill Clinton suffered in 1993, when his failure to remake the health-care system caused him to shrink his ambitions.

The Washington Post

The extremist group earlier in June suffered a substantial battlefield setback when Kurdish-led fighters seized another Syrian town on the Turkish border, Tal Abyad, cutting a major supply route to Islamic State's de facto capital, Raqqa.

Los Angeles Times

FORT MILL, S.C. — Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson has taken a sharp dive in recent national polls, another substantial setback for the retired neurosurgeon's campaign that comes amid ongoing scrutiny over his grasp of foreign policy issues.

The Washington Post

Last year the law suffered its first substantial setback when state courts upheld the positions of Glastonbury, Newtown and Bridgewater against developers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a substantial setback", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being hindered and its relative importance. This helps the reader understand the full impact of the setback.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial setback" for minor inconveniences. Reserve it for situations where progress is significantly impacted, or you risk diminishing its impact when describing genuinely serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial setback" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement within a sentence. It describes a significant impediment or reversal in progress. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial setback" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a significant hindrance or reversal. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and while it is not exceptionally common, it appears across diverse contexts, with a prevalence in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. Related phrases offer similar meanings, and understanding common errors like overstating its significance is crucial for effective communication. This phrase serves to inform and explain situations where progress has been meaningfully affected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant regression

Focuses on the idea of moving backward from a previous state.

a considerable impediment

Emphasizes the hindering aspect of the situation.

a major disappointment

Highlights the feeling of letdown associated with the event.

a serious difficulty

Focuses on the problematic nature of the situation.

a notable failure

Emphasizes the lack of success.

a critical problem

Highlights the severity and importance of the issue.

a grave disadvantage

Focuses on the unfavorable position resulting from the event.

a damaging reversal

Highlights the negative consequences and change in direction.

a marked deterioration

Focuses on the decline in condition or quality.

an important regression

Highlights that the regression is of significance and importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial setback" to describe a significant obstacle or reversal in progress. For example, "The project experienced "a substantial setback" due to unforeseen regulatory hurdles."

What are some alternatives to saying "a substantial setback"?

Alternatives include "a significant regression", "a considerable impediment", or "a major disappointment", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a substantial setback" is suitable for formal writing, especially in business, academic, and news contexts, as it clearly conveys a significant negative impact.

What is the difference between "a minor setback" and "a substantial setback"?

"A minor setback" implies a small, easily overcome issue, while "a substantial setback" indicates a significant problem that will likely require considerable effort to resolve.