after several setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after several setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where challenges or difficulties have occurred before achieving a goal or outcome. Example: "After several setbacks, the team finally completed the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

After several setbacks, the Mets are willing to try anything.

The New York Times - Sports

After several setbacks she had a chance conversation with the pharmacist at her local Hy-Vee grocery store here that changed everything.

The New York Times

After several setbacks, the House passed a limited bill last month that would allow charities to receive federal money without giving up their religious character.

The New York Times

After several setbacks — including defective battery packs in its first model and the Energy Department's decision last year to suspend loans to the company — Fisker is desperately trying to re-establish its credibility as an independent automaker with cutting-edge technology.

The New York Times

After several setbacks, it passed the House on Dec. 17 on a voice vote.

Huffington Post

From February 1915 this took the form of naval operations aimed at forcing a passage through the Dardanelles, but after several setbacks it was decided that a land campaign was also necessary.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Royal Dutch Shell PLC said Monday it will no longer seek oil off the coast of Alaska this year after suffering several setbacks.

Huffington Post

He also spoke to a career awareness class and a video production class, recounting how he managed to build his fashion empire -- the second largest in the country after Ralph Lauren -- despite several setbacks.

The New York Times

After four years of operation and several setbacks, the store closed in 2000, and Ms. Jerez's faith was tested.

The New York Times

The market forecast came after several recent setbacks for the European consortium.

The New York Times

After several referendum setbacks, the Swiss government has put off its ambitions for EU membership until later in the decade.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after several setbacks", clearly identify the setbacks to provide context and avoid vagueness. For example: "After several setbacks, including funding delays and technical challenges, the project was finally completed."

Common error

Avoid using "after several setbacks" to describe minor or insignificant hurdles. The phrase implies a substantial series of challenges, so ensure the context warrants its use. For minor issues, consider less emphatic phrasing like "after a few minor issues".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after several setbacks" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a clause, indicating a temporal relationship. It specifies that something occurred following a period characterized by multiple challenges or difficulties. Ludwig AI affirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after several setbacks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that introduces a period of difficulty prior to an event or achievement. Ludwig AI validates its common usage with numerous examples from diverse sources, mainly News & Media. Its communicative purpose lies in providing context and highlighting resilience. Alternatives include phrases like "following a number of obstacles" or "despite numerous adversities". When employing the phrase, it's crucial to specify the setbacks and gauge their significance to align with the intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a number of obstacles

Replaces "several setbacks" with "a number of obstacles", altering the specific wording while retaining the core meaning of encountering difficulties.

following various challenges

Synonymous phrasing; "following" is used instead of "after", and "various challenges" replaces "several setbacks".

post a series of difficulties

Replaces "after" with "post" (a more concise alternative) and "setbacks" with "a series of difficulties", maintaining a similar sense of chronology and hardship.

subsequent to repeated failures

Substitutes "after" with "subsequent to" and "setbacks" with "repeated failures", providing a more formal and emphatic tone.

in the wake of multiple impediments

Employs "in the wake of" to replace "after" and "multiple impediments" for "several setbacks", creating a slightly more dramatic effect.

in the aftermath of repeated problems

Replaces "after" with "in the aftermath of", changing the phrase to focus more on the consequences, while also replacing "setbacks" with "repeated problems".

despite numerous adversities

Shifts the focus to overcoming challenges, using "despite" instead of "after" and "numerous adversities" for "several setbacks".

after enduring various trials

Replaces "setbacks" with "trials", implying a sense of perseverance, and adds the word "enduring" to emphasize the experience of hardship.

later than some misfortune

Rephrases the original structure, using "later than" instead of "after" to denote timing and "some misfortune" as a substitute for "several setbacks", creating a more generic sense of difficulty.

in consequence of some downfalls

Replaces "after" with "in consequence of", indicating cause and effect, while replacing "setbacks" with "some downfalls", indicating specific negative events.

FAQs

How can I use "after several setbacks" in a sentence?

You can use "after several setbacks" to indicate a period of difficulty preceding a positive outcome. For example: "After several setbacks, the company finally launched its new product" or "After several setbacks, the team managed to win the championship".

What can I say instead of "after several setbacks"?

You can use alternatives like "following a number of obstacles", "subsequent to repeated failures", or "despite numerous adversities" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "after several setbacks" or "after numerous setbacks"?

"After several setbacks" and "after numerous setbacks" are largely interchangeable. "Numerous" might imply a greater quantity of setbacks than "several", but the difference is subtle and depends on the context. Both phrases are grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "after several setbacks" and "despite several setbacks"?

"After several setbacks" indicates a chronological sequence where the setbacks occurred before a certain point or achievement. "Despite several setbacks", on the other hand, highlights that something was achieved even though the setbacks existed. The focus shifts from sequence to overcoming adversity.