great setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant challenges or obstacles that hinder progress or success in various contexts, such as personal, professional, or historical situations. Example: "Despite facing great setbacks in her career, she remained determined to achieve her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

They experience great setbacks.

The New York Times

The concept of using viruses to kill tumors has long been established, but the field has suffered great setbacks and "bottle neck" in target efficiency.

Bioscience Hypotheses

The fragility of the South Vietnamese government was reflected on the battlefield, where its military experienced great setbacks against the Viet Cong.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

This has to be a great setback".

The New York Times

No great setback to their cause, you might think.

The Economist

By and large, this was not any great setback to the bosses.

The New York Times

The agency director, Mohamed ElBaradei, described the omission as a "great setback".

The New York Times

That would be a great setback for the rule of law.

The New York Times

The great setback of 1996, when Birt's heavy-handed management reorganisation notoriously kept women away from the top broadcasting posts, was only temporary.

The Guardian

The extremists interpreted the results as a great setback for the government, and they demanded that Castelo Branco annul the two elections.

Britannica

That would be a great setback for Mr. Annan, who first proposed the changes, and whose future is increasingly being tied to whatever success he can have with pushing them forward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great setbacks" to emphasize the significant negative impact of events or decisions on progress or outcomes. For example, "The project experienced "great setbacks" due to unforeseen regulatory changes".

Common error

While "great setbacks" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "major problems" or "big issues" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great setbacks" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It identifies significant impediments or reversals, emphasizing the magnitude of the challenges encountered. Ludwig provides examples where it describes challenges in politics, science, and personal experiences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "great setbacks" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English to describe significant challenges or reversals. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While categorized as "Rare" in terms of frequency, it appears in credible sources such as the New York Times, Wikipedia, and Bioscience Hypotheses. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with science and wiki entries also contributing. Related phrases include "major impediments" and "significant challenges". When using this phrase, be mindful of overusing it in informal settings where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major impediments

Replaces "setbacks" with a synonym that emphasizes obstruction; "major" is used instead of "great".

significant challenges

Substitutes the entire phrase to highlight difficulty rather than reversal.

severe difficulties

Emphasizes the intensity of the problems faced.

substantial obstacles

Focuses on the hindering nature of the challenges.

notable failures

Shifts the focus to completed unsuccessful attempts.

critical downturns

Highlights negative shifts or declines in a situation.

serious regressions

Emphasizes a return to a less developed state.

major reversals

Focuses on a change to an opposite direction or state.

profound adversities

Highlights the deeply unfavorable conditions or circumstances.

formidable obstacles

Focuses on the characteristic of being hard to overcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "great setbacks" to describe significant impediments or reversals in progress. For example: "The company faced "great setbacks" due to the economic recession.".

What are some alternatives to "great setbacks"?

You can use alternatives like "major impediments", "significant challenges", or "severe difficulties" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "great setbacks" is appropriate for formal writing when describing significant negative developments. However, ensure that the tone matches the overall formality of the document.

What is the difference between "great setbacks" and "minor setbacks"?

"Great setbacks" indicates substantial negative impact and significant delays, while "minor setbacks" refers to smaller, more easily overcome obstacles. It's a matter of scale and impact.