frequent setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

"frequent setbacks" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe situations where obstacles or difficulties occur often. For example: "Despite the frequent setbacks, the team remained determined to complete the project." Alternative expressions include "regular obstacles" and "repeated challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Marat's career has faded rapidly while she has made steady progress, although with frequent setbacks.

The Guardian - Sport

It faced insurmountable odds and frequent setbacks and had to solve difficult technical problems and create new inventions.

Huffington Post

Mughal recalls his frustration at the frequent setbacks he experienced, but ultimately argues that extending the definition of hate crime is helpful.

Vice

There are frequent setbacks... Tyree Guyton, creator of the Detroit art park the Heidelberg Project, walks through one of the house installations that was destroyed by a fire.

Huffington Post

But their ability to think on their feet and their desire to move forward with their lives, despite their ample baggage and frequent setbacks, account for the show's ultimately optimistic tone.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Sturridge has endured hip, knee, foot and thigh problems in recent months and, despite insisting he was "blessed by God and I have no stresses", admitted that the frequent injury setbacks had been difficult to take.

The Guardian - Sport

The company has had frequent regulatory setbacks, faced a $20 million FTC settlement this week, and a protest earlier Thursday regarding its perceived close ties to the incoming Trump administration.

TechCrunch

Also on Thursday, the widow of one of the 11 rig workers killed in the explosion testified that her husband had felt pressure to continue drilling for oil despite frequent equipment malfunctions and setbacks.

The New York Times

Disappointments and setbacks are frequent in "Chasing Heroin".

Huffington Post

Distrust will continue, signals will be confused, setbacks will be frequent, but the results could well lead over time to greater mutual understanding and a learned capacity to work on some of the most pressing problems, just as the US learned to do with the Soviet Union and China.

The Guardian - Opinion

Science programs take a hit and suffer setbacks with these frequent changes, says department secretary T. Ramasami.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project management or personal development, use "frequent setbacks" to realistically portray the challenges faced during the process.

Common error

Avoid using "frequent setbacks" repeatedly in contexts where the goal is to inspire or motivate. Balance it with descriptions of resilience and progress to maintain a positive tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "frequent setbacks" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "frequent" modifies the noun "setbacks". It describes the recurring nature of obstacles or difficulties. As per Ludwig, this phrase is considered correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "frequent setbacks" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe recurring obstacles or difficulties. According to Ludwig, its usage is correct and appropriate. While not exceptionally common, the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news, media, and scientific publications. When writing, it's crucial to use "frequent setbacks" to accurately depict challenges, but balance its negative connotations with positive elements like resilience. Consider using alternatives such as "recurring challenges" or "regular obstacles" for variety or to adjust the formality level. By understanding its function, purpose, and typical contexts, you can effectively integrate "frequent setbacks" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regular obstacles

Replaces "setbacks" with "obstacles" and "frequent" with "regular", emphasizing recurring impediments.

recurring challenges

Substitutes "setbacks" with "challenges" and "frequent" with "recurring", focusing on repeated difficulties.

repeated difficulties

Replaces "setbacks" with "difficulties" and "frequent" with "repeated", highlighting the repetitive nature of the problems.

common impediments

Substitutes "setbacks" with "impediments" and "frequent" with "common", suggesting typical hindrances.

habitual disruptions

Replaces "setbacks" with "disruptions" and "frequent" with "habitual", emphasizing the interruptions.

usual hitches

Replaces "frequent" with "usual" and "setbacks" with "hitches", making the expression more informal.

periodic failures

Replaces "setbacks" with "failures" and "frequent" with "periodic", stressing the recurring lack of success.

recurrent snags

Replaces "setbacks" with "snags" and "frequent" with "recurrent", using a less formal term for difficulties.

consistent regressions

Replaces "frequent" with "consistent" and "setbacks" with "regressions", indicating a pattern of decline.

numerous stumbling blocks

Replaces "frequent" with "numerous" and "setbacks" with "stumbling blocks", highlighting the quantity of the issues.

FAQs

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

You can use "frequent setbacks" to describe recurring problems or obstacles in various contexts. For instance: "The project faced "frequent setbacks" due to technical issues."

What's a more formal alternative to "frequent setbacks"?

A more formal alternative to "frequent setbacks" could be "recurrent impediments" or "repeated difficulties", depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "frequent setbacks" in a less formal setting?

In a less formal setting, you might use phrases like "regular hiccups" or "common mishaps" to convey a similar meaning to "frequent setbacks".

Is it better to say "frequent setbacks" or "constant setbacks"?

Both "frequent setbacks" and "constant setbacks" are valid, but they emphasize different aspects. "Frequent" suggests that the setbacks happen often, while "constant" implies they are continuous or never-ending.