facing setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

"facing setbacks" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation like this: Despite months of hard work, the team was still facing setbacks in their new project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

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

Apple chief executive Tim Cook plans to visit Beijing later this month to meet high-level government officials, at a time when the company is facing setbacks in its most important overseas market, a source said.

The Guardian - Tech

As a result, when facing setbacks, working-class students tend to believe that they and they alone are responsible, thinking, "I just don't have what it takes" or "I must not be smart enough". The emphasis on independence may also discourage them from seeking tutoring or mentoring, thinking that they need to figure things out on their own.

Stanford University

Set higher educational goals Are more likely to attend college Are more likely to participate in positive behaviors such as sports, extracurricular activities and volunteer opportunities Have higher levels of self-esteem and self-confidence Are more resilient when facing setbacks or challenges.

Huffington Post

According to ABC, the organization, which plants and harvests crops for farm families facing setbacks due to injury, illness, or natural disaster, has recently announced that it will expand its services to Iowa -- a state whose economy is largely dependent on agriculture.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

However, the organisation has faced  setbacks.

Independent

Behind the scenes, Motley faced setbacks.

Harvard University

And the lawyers for the nephew have already faced setbacks.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Each had faced setbacks that could have ended their business.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "facing setbacks" to describe situations where progress is being hindered, but not necessarily stopped entirely. It suggests ongoing effort despite the obstacles.

Common error

While "facing setbacks" is acceptable, consider using more precise alternatives like "encountering obstacles" or "experiencing challenges" in formal contexts for increased clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "facing setbacks" functions as a verbal phrase describing the action of experiencing difficulties or obstacles. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct. It's commonly used to indicate that someone or something is currently in the process of dealing with problems.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

26%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "facing setbacks" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, suitable for describing the experience of encountering challenges. It maintains a neutral tone and finds common usage across news, academic, and scientific contexts. While it effectively conveys the presence of difficulties, consider exploring alternatives like "encountering obstacles" or "experiencing challenges" for enhanced precision in formal writing. Keep in mind that "facing setbacks" suggests ongoing difficulties, distinguishing it from "overcoming setbacks", which implies resolution. Use "facing setbacks" to describe situations where there's current difficulty hindering progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encountering difficulties

This alternative focuses on the act of running into problems, emphasizing the process more than the result.

experiencing challenges

This phrase uses "challenges" which implies a test of one's abilities or resources.

undergoing hardship

This alternative suggests a more severe level of difficulty or suffering.

meeting with adversity

This phrase emphasizes the confrontational aspect of dealing with difficulties.

confronting obstacles

This phrase highlights the act of addressing and dealing with impediments.

navigating challenges

Implies strategic problem-solving when dealing with difficulties.

enduring difficulties

Highlights the persistence and tolerance required to overcome hardships.

struggling with adversity

Emphasizes the active effort and difficulty in overcoming challenging situations.

contending with problems

Focuses on actively fighting or competing against issues that arise.

grappling with issues

Suggests a close, often confused, struggle to understand and resolve complex problems.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "facing setbacks" to sound more formal?

In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "encountering obstacles", "experiencing challenges", or "meeting with adversity" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is "facing setbacks" the same as "overcoming setbacks"?

No, "facing setbacks" implies dealing with difficulties that are currently hindering progress, while "overcoming setbacks" suggests successfully resolving or moving past those difficulties.

What kind of situations is "facing setbacks" suitable to describe?

"Facing setbacks" is suitable for describing situations in projects, personal goals, or even broader contexts like political movements where progress is being hindered by obstacles or difficulties.

How does the connotation of "facing setbacks" differ from "facing failures"?

"Facing setbacks" suggests temporary impediments that can be overcome, whereas "facing failures" implies a more definitive lack of success or accomplishment.