encounter a setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter a setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or obstacles that arise during a process or project. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we encountered a setback in the development of the new software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When they encounter a setback, or when their health begins to decline, they find themselves without support.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She did not address her gun control advocacy, which encountered a setback last month when the Senate blocked background check legislation.

The New York Times

One Danish case allegedly involved some 50,000 songs; Denmark has seen a whopping 50% decline in sales of CDs over the past four years.However, this latest legal attack has already encountered a setback.

The Economist

OTTAWA, Sept. 17 — Canada's Conservative government captured a seat in a generally separatist region of Quebec during one of three special elections on Monday, while the opposition Liberals encountered a setback in Montreal.

The New York Times

ROBERT, La. — The latest effort to contain the oil spill that has poured millions of gallons of crude into the Gulf of Mexico encountered a setback 5,000 feet underwater, officials said Saturday, meaning oil will continue gushing into the ocean for at least several more days, and possibly months.

The New York Times

A-list diaspora actors re-enact the anti-English "wankers" scene from Trainspotting, but an attempt to "repatriate" Glasgow-born Carol Ann Duffy as another star of the ceremony encounters a setback as the Queen refuses to relinquish her, triggering a constitutional crisis.

The Guardian - Books

A push by New York City's public hospital system to save tens of millions of dollars by replacing its nearly 850-member police force with private security guards encountered a setback recently when the city discovered that the winning bidder failed to tell the Health and Hospitals Corporation about a series of sexual harassment complaints against it.

The New York Times

While the removal of the ventilator, at 12 25 p.m., was viewed as a significant step in Mr. Corzine's recovery, he is still listed in critical but stable condition, and doctors cautioned that the breathing tube could again be used if the governor encountered a setback.

The New York Times

Blair encounters a setback during her interview at Yale by revealing the recent stress in her life, and then kissing her interviewer on the cheek upon dismissal.

Wikipedia

The global goal to eradicate polio encountered a setback when in 2003 04 the rejection of polio vaccination in northern Nigeria followed rumours that the vaccine contained chemicals that would sterilize children and reports that an unregistered drug was used in northern Nigeria during a meningitis outbreak in 1996 which left several children paralysed (Jegede 2007).

Health Policy and Planning

That said, unless he encounters a significant setback, he should return after missing 20-odd games.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "encounter a setback", be specific about the nature of the setback and its impact. This provides clarity and helps the reader understand the situation better.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "encountered a setback" without explaining what the setback was or how it affected the situation. Always provide details to make the statement meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter a setback" functions as a verb phrase, where "encounter" is the main verb and "a setback" is the object. Ludwig indicates its usability and correctness in English. It describes the action of experiencing an obstacle or difficulty.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encounter a setback" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote the experience of facing an obstacle or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for various contexts. Its usage spans across news, general knowledge, and scientific domains, with a neutral register suitable for professional and academic discourse. While it effectively conveys the presence of a hindrance, it is crucial to provide specific details about the nature and impact of the setback to ensure clarity. Related phrases, such as "face a difficulty" or "hit a roadblock", offer alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience a problem

Replaces "setback" with the more general term "problem".

face a difficulty

Uses "difficulty" instead of "setback" to denote a challenge.

meet with a challenge

Employs "meet with" to introduce the challenge, altering the sentence structure.

suffer a reversal

Replaces "encounter a setback" with "suffer a reversal", indicating a change for the worse.

hit a roadblock

Uses the idiomatic expression "hit a roadblock" to signify an obstacle.

undergo a hitch

Substitutes "setback" with "hitch", suggesting a minor problem.

run into trouble

Replaces "encounter a setback" with the more colloquial "run into trouble".

be thwarted

Focuses on the frustration of being prevented from achieving something.

meet an impediment

Uses a more formal word "impediment" instead of "setback".

fall foul of misfortune

Emphasizes the negative aspect by evoking misfortune.

FAQs

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

You can use "encounter a setback" to describe a situation where progress is hindered by an unexpected problem. For example, "The project encountered a setback due to unforeseen technical issues".

What's the difference between "encounter a setback" and "face a challenge"?

"Encounter a setback" implies a specific obstacle that has already occurred, whereas "face a challenge" refers to a potentially difficult situation that needs to be addressed. A "setback" is more concrete, while a "challenge" is more abstract.

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

You can use alternatives like "experience a problem", "face a difficulty", or "hit a roadblock" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "encountered a setback" or "experienced a setback"?

Both "encountered a setback" and "experienced a setback" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference and the specific context. However, "encountered a setback" might imply a more sudden or unexpected event.