encountering setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encountering setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing challenges or difficulties faced in a process or journey. Example: "Despite encountering setbacks during the project, the team remained committed to their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yoga teaches the women to control their breathing, which calms the nervous system and in turn calms the mind – a valuable skill off the mat, when at the Home Office or encountering setbacks in their day-to-day lives.

The Guardian

Finally, to see whether the garden activities provided a venue for students to build their persistence and capacity to bounce back when encountering setbacks, students' science teachers reported on each student's capacity to re-engage in the face of day-to-day academic challenges.

International Journal of STEM Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

After encountering setback in the quest to fabricate solid-state nanopore using simple methods, some researchers returned to using energetic particles to fabricate nanopore in small areas with controllable structure [20, 42].

Nanoscale Research Letters

But Villas-Boas said that Parker had encountered setbacks and was yet to return to training.

The Guardian - Sport

Both the directed and the directionless, Ms. Walters insisted, would encounter setbacks along the way.

The New York Times

Although the company encountered setbacks in almost all of its business lines, its earnings beat analyst estimates.

The New York Times

His ambitious rehabilitation schedule encountered setbacks in spring training, and now he will most likely rest for four to eight weeks before restarting any baseball activities.

The New York Times - Sports

Lewis's legal campaign has encountered setbacks on other fronts: in April, 2014, the public prosecutor of Bahrain dismissed AHAB's complaint against Sanea, because the Gosaibis had failed to produce purported loan-book victims in court.

The New Yorker

Previous will-they-won't-they moments have always encountered setbacks, be it a near-fatal sting from a virus-carrying bee or the discovery by Scully that the Mulder she'd had her eye on was in fact a shape shifter (don't ask).

The Guardian

In reality, nearly all scientists encounter setbacks, singularities that disturb the local time-career continuum.

Science Magazine

In 1373, as Ming forces encountered setbacks, Hongwu put more emphasis on defence and adopted Hua Yunlong's suggestion to establish garrisons at 130 passes and other strategic points in the Beijing area.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encountering setbacks" to describe unforeseen difficulties or challenges in a project, plan, or personal endeavor. It's particularly effective when highlighting resilience and adaptation.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who or what is "encountering setbacks". Be direct: instead of "Setbacks were encountered", specify "The team encountered setbacks".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encountering setbacks" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting the action of encountering with the state of facing difficulties. This emphasizes the process of dealing with unforeseen obstacles. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "encountering setbacks" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe facing unexpected difficulties. While relatively rare, according to Ludwig, it is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts, particularly in news and scientific writing. When using the phrase, consider specifying who or what is encountering the setbacks for clarity. Alternatives like "facing obstacles" or "meeting challenges" can provide variety. It's important to focus on clear and direct language to effectively communicate challenges and resilience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Facing difficulties

Focuses on the act of confronting problems directly, rather than the problems themselves.

Experiencing obstacles

Highlights the presence of impediments along a path or journey.

Meeting challenges

Emphasizes the active engagement with difficult tasks or situations.

Suffering reverses

Implies a negative change in fortune or progress.

Undergoing trials

Suggests a period of testing or hardship.

Hitting roadblocks

Uses a metaphor to describe encountering obstacles that halt progress.

Facing adversity

Highlights the confrontation with unfavorable or difficult circumstances.

Stumbling blocks

Focuses on particular obstructions that impede progress.

Having complications

Refers to the development of complex or problematic situations.

Running into snags

Suggests encountering unexpected minor difficulties or problems.

FAQs

What does "encountering setbacks" mean?

The phrase "encountering setbacks" means facing unexpected problems or difficulties that delay or prevent progress in a particular situation.

How can I use "encountering setbacks" in a sentence?

You can use "encountering setbacks" to describe facing challenges. For example: "Despite "facing difficulties", the project team remained determined to complete the task."

What are some alternatives to "encountering setbacks"?

Some alternatives to "encountering setbacks" include "facing obstacles", "experiencing difficulties", or "meeting challenges" depending on the specific context.

Is "encountering setbacks" formal or informal language?

"Encountering setbacks" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it is more common in formal writing and speech.