faced setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "faced setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe experiencing difficulties or obstacles in a particular situation or endeavor. Example: "Despite their hard work, the team faced setbacks that delayed the project's completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

However, the organisation has faced  setbacks.

Independent

And the lawyers for the nephew have already faced setbacks.

The New York Times

In recent years, he faced setbacks in his businesses and in his personal life.

The New York Times

Bruckner faced setbacks and adversity, and feared that his music would never be appreciated.

The New York Times - Arts

The 'flying saucer' is considered crucial for future manned missions to Mars; but Nasa has faced setbacks in this area.

Independent

Abbott Laboratories, Immunex and a joint venture between Elan and Biogen, are among those to have faced setbacks with Crohn's treatments in recent times.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Of course, like all new democracies, they will face setbacks.

The New York Times

Commentators who cannot abide her frosty pragmatism eagerly predict her demise whenever she faces setbacks.

The Economist

In chess, he said, you are constantly facing setbacks, and the people who become great players learn to overcome them.

The New York Times

Unless the conservative forces organize themselves better in 2012, he warned, they could well be facing setbacks in more important elections.

The New Yorker

I don't know about you, but I've absolutely had enough of identity politics and people playing the victim when they face setbacks in life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation you want to convey. "Faced setbacks" is neutral, but words like "overcame" or "succumbed to" can add layers of meaning.

Common error

Avoid vaguely stating that someone "faced setbacks" without specifying the source of those setbacks. Provide context; for example, "The project faced setbacks due to budget cuts" is more informative than "The project faced setbacks."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "faced setbacks" functions as a verb phrase describing the experience of encountering obstacles or difficulties. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to describe situations where progress is hindered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "faced setbacks" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe encountering difficulties or obstacles. It is used in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, to neutrally convey that a person, group, or project has experienced challenges. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for various registers, allowing writers to effectively communicate about both positive and negative developments. While versatile, it is important to provide specific details about the nature and impact of the setbacks for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountered obstacles

Replaces "setbacks" with a more general term for difficulties, maintaining a similar level of formality.

experienced difficulties

Uses "difficulties" instead of "setbacks", providing a slightly broader and less specific meaning.

met with challenges

Substitutes "challenges" for "setbacks", suggesting a more proactive and potentially surmountable situation.

suffered reverses

Employs a more formal and somewhat literary term, "reverses", to indicate setbacks.

endured hardships

Implies a more severe and prolonged period of difficulty compared to "setbacks".

ran into problems

Offers a more informal and colloquial way of expressing the occurrence of setbacks.

hit roadblocks

Uses a metaphorical term, "roadblocks", to represent obstacles encountered.

stumbled upon obstacles

Uses a metaphor of unexpectedly finding problems.

contended with adversity

Replaces "setbacks" with "adversity", suggesting a more significant and challenging situation.

underwent trials

Indicates a period of testing and difficulty, implying a deeper and more transformative experience than "setbacks".

FAQs

What does "faced setbacks" mean?

The phrase "faced setbacks" means to have experienced difficulties, obstacles, or temporary failures in pursuing a goal or project. It suggests encountering challenges that impede progress.

What are some alternatives to "faced setbacks"?

You can use alternatives such as "encountered obstacles", "experienced difficulties", or "met with challenges" depending on the context.

How do I use "faced setbacks" in a sentence?

You can use "faced setbacks" to describe a person, team, or project that has encountered obstacles. For example, "The company faced setbacks during the recession" or "Despite the initial enthusiasm, the project faced setbacks due to technical issues."

What's the difference between "faced setbacks" and "overcame setbacks"?

"Faced setbacks" simply means that someone encountered difficulties. "Overcame setbacks" implies that they not only encountered difficulties but also successfully navigated and resolved them.