faced a setback

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The company faced a setback in 2007, when its patent for cryogenic encapsulation was invalidated by a federal court jury.

The New York Times

Government forces faced a setback in January 2018 when allied southern secessionists demanded Hadī sack his government.

Britannica

The Japanese government, which has been trying to follow the Fed's lead in stimulating its own economy, faced a setback on Thursday in the plummet of the Nikkei.

The New York Times

The new generation of nuclear reactors destined for Britain faced a setback today after a quality control failure was declared at one being built in France.

The Times

Plans for a third runway faced a setback today as a series of legal challenges against the project cleared a major hurdle.

The Times

Mr. Iskan faced a setback only a few months into the job when he was forced to revoke his first decree to give more flexibility to executives in state companies to take major business decisions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

If prompt action is not taken, the country will face a setback.

The New York Times

Uber lost $2.2bn£1.77bnbn) in the first nine months of the year despite a surge in revenues, according to reports, adding to the taxi-hailing app's woes as it faces a setback in plans to launch self-driving cars.

The Guardian - Tech

LONDON — Heineken's efforts to secure a controlling stake in Asia Pacific Breweries is facing a setback after Thai Beverage increased its stake in Fraser & Neave, the Singapore-based conglomerate that had agreed to sell its rights in the Asian brewer to Heineken for around $4.1 billion.

The New York Times

But independent experts said it was hard to understand what could have caused heat intense enough to sear the carbon-composite skin on the top of the jet, leaving the possibility that Boeing could still face a setback if problems are found with another system on the plane.

The New York Times

In contrast to the meandering conversations of psychoanalysis, a typical CBT exercise might involve filling out a flowchart to identify the self-critical "automatic thoughts" that occur whenever you face a setback, like being criticised at work, or rejected after a date.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "faced a setback" to describe a specific event that temporarily hinders progress, rather than a continuous state. For example, "The project faced a setback due to unexpected weather conditions."

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions that obscure who or what "faced a setback". Instead of saying "A setback was faced", specify the actor: "The company faced a setback."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faced a setback" functions as a predicate in a sentence, describing the action taken or the state experienced by the subject. Ludwig provides several examples that showcase its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "faced a setback" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe encountering a temporary obstacle or challenge. Ludwig indicates that it is most frequently used in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki contexts. While the phrase is neutral in register, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice constructions. Alternative phrases, such as "encountered a difficulty" or "experienced a reversal", can provide nuance depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered a difficulty

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

experienced a reversal

Uses "reversal" to highlight a change in fortune or progress.

suffered a check

Employs "check" to denote a halt or impediment to advancement.

met with a problem

Substitutes "setback" with the common term "problem".

hit a stumbling block

Uses the idiomatic expression "stumbling block" for an obstacle.

ran into an obstacle

Replaces "faced" with "ran into" while specifying "obstacle".

endured a hitch

Uses "hitch" to imply a temporary problem or delay.

underwent a complication

Suggests a more intricate or complex difficulty.

sustained a reverse

Employs "reverse" to focus on the backward movement or loss of progress.

was thwarted

Uses a verb instead of a noun phrase, focusing on the action of being prevented.

FAQs

What does "faced a setback" mean?

The phrase "faced a setback" means encountering a temporary obstruction or difficulty that delays progress toward a goal. It implies resilience and the need to overcome the challenge.

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

You can use "faced a setback" to describe a situation where someone or something encountered an obstacle. For example, "The team "faced a setback" when the funding was delayed."

What are some alternatives to "faced a setback"?

You can use alternatives like "encountered a difficulty", "experienced a reversal", or "suffered a check" depending on the context.

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

Both "faced a setback" and "experienced a setback" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey. "Faced" suggests confronting the obstacle directly, while "experienced" simply indicates it happened.