experienced a setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "experienced a setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone has faced an obstacle or difficulty that has hindered progress or success. Example: "After months of hard work, the team experienced a setback when their main supplier went out of business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Since he first strained his right hamstring March 14, Reyes has experienced a setback every few weeks.

The New York Times - Sports

Russia also experienced a setback this week when one of the army commanders of its Grozny operation, Maj.

The New York Times

The party experienced a setback in 2005 when Rainsy fled the country before being convicted of criminal defamation against Hun Sen and Prince Ranariddh.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jeff Keppinger, a long shot to win the second-base job, experienced a setback Sunday when he left camp with back spasms.

The New York Times

He was in line to become the closer, and still may, but he experienced a setback last week when he had back spasms.

The New York Times - Sports

Allstate has experienced a setback in the long-running dispute over its efforts to convert its career agents into independent contractors to streamline its business and cut costs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

To the extent that the left is experiencing a setback, its comeuppance is well overdue.

The Guardian

Then, when they experience a setback at work, they'll be more likely to take positive action.

The Washington Post

When we experience a setback at work, we tend to either become defensive and blame others, or berate ourselves.

Harvard Business Review

When we experience a setback, we tend to either become defensive and blame others, or berate ourselves.

Harvard Business Review

Dr. Olgin said that, for now, it was difficult to know when someone with heart failure was going to experience a setback.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "experienced a setback", ensure the context clearly indicates what area faced the obstacle and, if relevant, the cause of the setback. This helps maintain clarity and provides a complete picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "experienced a setback" without specifying the nature of the setback. Instead of saying "The project experienced a setback", be specific: "The project experienced a setback due to unexpected budget cuts."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "experienced a setback" functions as a verb phrase, where "experienced" is the main verb and "a setback" serves as the direct object. It describes the action of encountering an obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "experienced a setback" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a situation where progress has been temporarily hindered. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a usable phrase in written English across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias and scientific sources, suggesting its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context about the area affected and the cause of the setback for clarity. Alternatives such as "suffered a reverse" or "faced a difficulty" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffered a reverse

Focuses on the negative outcome or consequence that affected a situation or individual.

encountered a problem

Highlights the encounter with a challenge or difficulty that impeded progress.

faced a difficulty

Emphasizes the confrontation with an obstacle that created complications.

met with adversity

Focuses on the experience of encountering unfavorable conditions or misfortune.

hit a stumbling block

Implies encountering an obstacle that disrupts forward movement or progress.

ran into trouble

Highlights an encounter with difficulties or problems that caused disruption.

was thwarted

Emphasizes that someone's plans or efforts were prevented from succeeding.

progress was impeded

Indicates that the rate of advancement or development was hindered or slowed down.

underwent a regression

Emphasizes a return to a former or less developed state, indicating a decline in progress.

suffered a loss

Highlights the negative outcome or consequence of losing something important.

FAQs

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

Use "experienced a setback" to describe a situation where progress has been temporarily hindered. For example, "The company "experienced a setback" when the new product launch was delayed".

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

You can use alternatives like "suffered a reverse", "encountered a problem", or "faced a difficulty" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "experienced a setback" or "faced a challenge"?

"Experienced a setback" implies a temporary halt or regression in progress, while "faced a challenge" simply means encountering a difficult situation that needs to be overcome. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "experienced a setback" and "suffered a failure"?

"Experienced a setback" suggests a temporary delay or obstacle, whereas "suffered a failure" indicates a complete lack of success. A setback can be overcome, while a failure often implies a more definitive end to an endeavor.