experienced setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "experienced setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing challenges or difficulties that have occurred in a process or journey, often in a professional or personal context. Example: "Despite having experienced setbacks in the project, the team remained committed to achieving their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Both ships experienced setbacks.

The New York Times

Young financiers have experienced setbacks in the past.

The New York Times

At Goldsmiths, students have so far experienced setbacks.

The Guardian

Moreover, when the government has experienced setbacks, it tends to tone down its pugnacity.

The Economist

"Like all who have held this office before me, I have experienced setbacks," Mr. Bush said, in a steady, even cadence.

The New York Times

Since sustaining his second concussion this year on May 20, Church has experienced setbacks in each of the three prior instances in which the team's medical staff and outside neurologists cleared him to play.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Throughout rehabilitation, he made steps forward and experienced setback on his way toward recovery.

The New York Times - Sports

But in the first two episodes he mostly experiences setbacks.

The New York Times - Arts

Children who already suffered from these disorders may be experiencing setbacks.

The New York Times

But you'll also need a strategy for staying motivated when you experience setbacks and obstacles.

The Guardian

Merck, which recently replaced its head of research and development after experiencing setbacks in drug development, has been only a bit player in oncology drugs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "experienced setbacks", ensure the context clearly indicates what "setbacks" refer to. Be specific about the nature of the difficulties encountered to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "experienced setbacks" without specifying the nature or impact of these setbacks. Lack of detail can weaken your statement and leave the reader uninformed. Provide context!

Linguistic Context

The phrase "experienced setbacks" functions as a verb phrase indicating that a subject has encountered difficulties that have hindered progress. Ludwig examples show its use in describing challenges faced by individuals, organizations, and even abstract concepts like 'school desegregation'. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct to use this expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "experienced setbacks" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe encountering difficulties that hinder progress. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usability is high across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, encyclopedias, and wikis. While "experienced setbacks" is suitable for neutral and professional communication, being specific about the nature of the difficulties will always have more impact. Consider alternatives like "encountered difficulties" or "faced challenges" to fine-tune the meaning and emphasize the active or passive role in confronting the difficulties.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered difficulties

Focuses on the act of meeting challenges rather than the implication of regression.

faced challenges

Emphasizes confrontation with difficulties, a more active framing.

suffered reverses

Highlights the negative outcome of the difficulties.

met with obstacles

Focuses specifically on impediments encountered.

underwent hardships

Suggests a more severe and prolonged period of difficulty.

ran into trouble

A more informal way of saying faced problems or difficulties.

hit a snag

Implies a small, unexpected problem.

stumbled

Suggests a temporary loss of progress.

regressed

Focuses on moving backward from a previous state.

declined

Emphasizes deterioration or worsening of a situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "experienced setbacks" to describe situations where progress has been hindered by difficulties. For example, "The project "experienced setbacks" due to unforeseen technical issues."

What are some alternatives to saying "experienced setbacks"?

Alternatives include "encountered difficulties", "faced challenges", or "suffered reverses", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "faced challenges" or "experienced setbacks"?

"Faced challenges" emphasizes the active confrontation of difficulties, while ""experienced setbacks"" focuses on the resulting regression or hindrance of progress. The best choice depends on the context.

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

"Experienced a setback" refers to a single instance of difficulty, while ""experienced setbacks"" implies multiple instances or a series of difficulties.