experience some setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "experience some setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or difficulties encountered in a process or project. Example: "Despite our best efforts, we may experience some setbacks in the timeline of the project due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"During some pretty dark days of his own: We may experience some setbacks when a frightened and misled public acts without thinking.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Unfortunately, Tran's company Huy Fong Foods has experienced some setbacks since late November.

Vice

But, recently, the French have experienced some uncharacteristic setbacks.

The New York Times - Sports

If you're a young person who hasn't had a chance to establish a credit history or if you have experienced some financial setbacks that have harmed your credit, tips on boosting that number quickly are most welcome.

Huffington Post

Sure, some of the stocks that I've mentioned may have trouble continuing their staggering recent growth rates, and a developing market like China could indeed experience some growing pains and setbacks for investors.

Forbes

They experience great setbacks.

The New York Times

AND if bears like David Rosenberg of Gluskin Sheff & Associates are correct, the economy and the stock market will experience serious setbacks in the next few years.

The New York Times

Many of us experience subconscious setbacks on a daily basis.

Huffington Post

The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that nearly three-quarters of people like Sam will experience these setbacks or "relapses" after treatment.

Huffington Post

Although prison provides the opportunity for HIV diagnosis and access to in-prison care, following release, many HIV-infected inmates experience clinical setbacks, including nonadherence to antiretrovirals, elevations in viral load, and HIV disease progression.

BMC Public Health

You and your loved one may experience many setbacks and relapses.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "experience some setbacks" when you want to acknowledge challenges without sounding overly negative. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "experience some setbacks" repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "encounter difficulties" or "face challenges" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "experience some setbacks" functions as a verb phrase where "experience" is the main verb and "setbacks" is its direct object. It describes the act of encountering difficulties or obstacles. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "experience some setbacks" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe encountering difficulties or obstacles. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread and acceptable in various contexts. While it's appropriate for both formal and informal settings, varying your language with synonyms like "encounter difficulties" or "face challenges" can enhance your writing. Being mindful of overuse and choosing the right alternative based on the specific context will ensure clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encounter obstacles

Focuses on the act of meeting obstacles, slightly less specific than experiencing setbacks.

Face difficulties

Emphasizes the act of confronting challenges, broader than setbacks.

Run into problems

Highlights unexpected issues that arise.

Suffer reverses

More formal and emphasizes a change in fortune.

Meet with failures

Highlights the lack of success; more negative in tone.

Endure hardships

Implies a prolonged and difficult experience.

Undergo trials

Suggests a period of testing or hardship, often implying resilience.

Hit a snag

Informal, referring to a minor unexpected difficulty.

Have a rough time

Informal and general, indicating a period of difficulty.

Go through a bad patch

Suggests a temporary period of difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "experience some setbacks" in a sentence?

You can use "experience some setbacks" to describe encountering difficulties or obstacles in a process or project. For example, "Despite our best efforts, we may "experience some setbacks" in the project timeline."

What are some alternatives to "experience some setbacks"?

You can use alternatives like "face challenges", "encounter difficulties", or "suffer reverses" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "experience setbacks" or "encounter setbacks"?

Both "experience setbacks" and "encounter setbacks" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on your preferred style and the specific context. "Experience setbacks" might be slightly more common in general usage.

What does it mean to "experience setbacks" in a professional context?

In a professional context, "experience setbacks" means encountering obstacles or challenges that hinder progress toward goals. It acknowledges that difficulties are a normal part of any project or career path.