be confronted with a setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be confronted with a setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where someone faces an obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team had to be confronted with a setback that delayed the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1998, soon after assuming the presidency of Tulane University, Scott Cowen was confronted with a setback.

Princeton University

That strategy lasted little more than a few hours until Romney, in the biggest setback to his campaign yet, was confronted with a devastating secret video of his speech to a small, $50,000-a-place dinner for Republican donors in Florida in which he characterised 47% of the American population as freeloaders, dependent on federal government help.

The Guardian

"She was confronted with a trained nurse.

Independent

But its owner, Tom Chadwick, was confronted with a personnel crisis.

The New York Times

Instead, he was confronted with a hiring freeze.

The New York Times

At this point, we are confronted with a problem.

Journal of Economic Structures

Instead we are confronted with a new puzzle.

Applied Petrochemical Research

The innkeeper is confronted with a dilemma.

Huffington Post

Ford was confronted with a potential swine flu pandemic.

Wikipedia

Nevertheless, we have been confronted with a number of problems.

Database : the journal of biological databases and curation

France is confronted with a shortage of medical oncologists.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be confronted with a setback", consider the tone you wish to convey. It can sound slightly formal. If a more direct and active voice is appropriate, consider alternatives like "face a setback" or "encounter a setback".

Common error

Avoid using "be confronted with a setback" too frequently in your writing, as it can make your prose sound passive and less engaging. Instead, opt for more active constructions when possible to create a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be confronted with a setback" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is facing an obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress. While grammatically sound according to Ludwig AI, its usage may be less frequent compared to simpler alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be confronted with a setback" describes encountering an obstacle or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While valid, its relative infrequency suggests exploring simpler alternatives like "face a setback" or "encounter a setback", especially in less formal contexts. The key is choosing the phrasing that best matches the intended tone and impact, avoiding passive voice overuse for clarity and engagement. In summary, while correct, consider context and desired tone before opting for "be confronted with a setback".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encounter a setback

Replaces "be confronted with" with a simpler verb, "encounter".

Face a setback

Uses the verb "face" instead of "be confronted with", making it more direct.

Experience a setback

Replaces "be confronted with" with "experience", emphasizing the personal impact.

Suffer a setback

Emphasizes the negative impact of the setback by using the word "suffer".

Meet with a setback

Uses "meet with" instead of "be confronted with", sounding slightly more formal.

Run into a setback

Implies an unexpected or accidental encounter with the setback.

Be challenged by a setback

Shifts the focus to the challenge presented by the setback.

Be hampered by a setback

Highlights the hindering effect of the setback.

Be affected by a setback

Focuses on the impact or influence of the setback.

Have difficulties because of a setback

Expresses the idea with a more descriptive and less idiomatic construction.

FAQs

How can I use "be confronted with a setback" in a sentence?

You can use "be confronted with a setback" to describe a situation where someone faces an unexpected obstacle or difficulty. For instance, "Despite their initial success, the team was confronted with a setback that threatened to derail the entire project."

What are some alternatives to "be confronted with a setback"?

You can use alternatives like "face a setback", "encounter a setback", or "experience a setback" depending on the specific context.

Is "be confronted with a setback" formal or informal?

"Be confronted with a setback" leans towards the more formal side. In informal contexts, phrases like "run into a problem" or "hit a snag" might be more appropriate.

Which is correct, "be confronted with a setback" or "be confronted by a setback"?

Both "be confronted with a setback" and "be confronted by a setback" are grammatically correct. However, "be confronted with a setback" is more common. In general, 'confronted with' is preferred when dealing with situations or obstacles, while 'confronted by' is more often used when referring to people.