financial setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "financial setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe difficulties or challenges related to finances or economic situations. Example: "After experiencing several financial setbacks, the company had to reevaluate its budget and cut costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There have been other financial setbacks.

The New York Times

Max's successes were overshadowed by financial setbacks.

The New York Times

Even the renowned Chicago Symphony grappled with financial setbacks.

The New York Times - Arts

No. Aside from minor production issues, we've had no financial setbacks by any means.

The New York Times

While Americans can borrow to deal with financial setbacks, borrowing is perilous.

The Economist

Personal and financial setbacks weighed her down, and she knew she owed the $2,470.

The New York Times

Now, because of the latest round of financial setbacks, Miami City Ballet arrives with taped music.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Muhammad is known to have gone through two divorces and to have suffered financial setbacks.

The New York Times

During the nineteen-twenties, his father suffered financial setbacks, his parents divorced, and he was shuttled among different relatives.

The New Yorker

I chose to stay and suffered a series of financial setbacks as I struggled to make ends meet.

The New York Times

The cognitive illusion occurs because most financial setbacks that people experience in life stem from events that affect them alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "financial setbacks", provide context by specifying the cause or impact to give the reader a clearer understanding of the situation. For instance, "The company faced financial setbacks due to decreased sales during the recession."

Common error

Avoid using "financial setbacks" without specifying the affected party or scope. Instead of saying "There were financial setbacks", clarify who experienced them and what the consequences were, such as "The family experienced financial setbacks, leading to housing insecurity."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "financial setbacks" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in describing unexpected monetary problems across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "financial setbacks" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe unexpected monetary challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, business, and general contexts, maintaining a neutral to professional tone. When using this phrase, it's helpful to provide specific context about the cause and impact of the setbacks to ensure clarity. While alternatives like "monetary difficulties" or "economic hardships" exist, "financial setbacks" offers a balanced and widely understood description for diverse situations involving economic downturns or unexpected monetary problems.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monetary difficulties

Focuses specifically on problems related to money, emphasizing the hardship aspect.

economic hardships

Highlights the broader economic context, indicating difficulties caused by economic conditions.

fiscal challenges

Emphasizes the difficulty in managing finances, often used in formal or business contexts.

monetary obstacles

Suggests barriers related to financial matters, implying challenges to overcome.

economic downturns

Refers to a decline in economic activity, affecting financial stability.

budget shortfalls

Highlights a deficit or inadequacy in budgeted funds, leading to financial strain.

revenue losses

Focuses on the decline in income or earnings, causing financial instability.

investment failures

Specific to situations where investments do not yield expected returns, resulting in financial loss.

credit crunches

Emphasizes difficulties in obtaining credit or loans, impacting financial operations.

market corrections

Refers to declines in market values, causing financial adjustments or losses.

FAQs

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

You can use "financial setbacks" to describe unexpected monetary problems. For instance, "The company's expansion plans were halted due to recent "financial setbacks"".

What are some alternatives to "financial setbacks"?

Alternatives include "monetary difficulties", "economic hardships", or "fiscal challenges", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "financial setbacks" in formal writing?

Yes, "financial setbacks" is appropriate for formal writing. However, in certain business or academic contexts, more specific terms like "budget shortfalls" or "revenue losses" may be more precise.

What's the difference between "financial setbacks" and "financial difficulties"?

"Financial setbacks" typically refer to unexpected or temporary monetary problems, whereas "financial difficulties" suggest more prolonged or serious economic struggles. Therefore, difficulties describe a more severe situation.