it faces a setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it faces a setback" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where someone or something encounters an obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress. Example: "The project was going smoothly until it faces a setback due to unexpected funding issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Uber lost $2.2bn£1.77bnbn) in the first nine months of the year despite a surge in revenues, according to reports, adding to the taxi-hailing app's woes as it faces a setback in plans to launch self-driving cars.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Last week it faced a serious setback when plans for a share buyback that would have given investors £3.4bn in return for 25percentnt of their holdings were put off.

The Guardian - Business

"The people want to see the continuation of the democratic process and to ensure that it does not face a setback," he said in his televised speech.

BBC

Adobe first offered the Flash Player for smartphones in 2010 but faced a setback when Apple refused to allow it to be installed on iPhones and iPads.

BBC

The company faced a setback in 2007, when its patent for cryogenic encapsulation was invalidated by a federal court jury.

The New York Times

If prompt action is not taken, the country will face a setback.

The New York Times

Government forces faced a setback in January 2018 when allied southern secessionists demanded Hadī sack his government.

Britannica

He faced a setback in 2011 when flooding in Thailand devastated Taokaenoi's factory.

Forbes

The group faced a setback on Friday when US and Irish authorities arrested moderators Andrew Michael Jones, Gary Davis, and Peter Philip Nash.

TechCrunch

That plan faced a setback when Facebook's first satellite was destroyed when SpaceX's rocket exploded last year.

TechCrunch

In promoting the Michigan initiative, DeVos faced a setback.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "challenge" or "difficulty" to provide variety and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "it faces a setback" repeatedly within a short span; diversify your language by incorporating synonyms and alternative expressions to maintain reader interest and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it faces a setback" functions as a declarative statement. It indicates that a particular subject is experiencing a difficulty or obstacle that hinders progress. Ludwig AI confirms the usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it faces a setback" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a situation where something encounters an obstacle or difficulty. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. While not extremely common, it is used across various contexts including news, encyclopedias, and formal communications. Alternatives include "it encounters an obstacle" or "it experiences a difficulty". When using this phrase, ensure clarity in identifying what "it" refers to and avoid overuse to maintain writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it confronts a challenge

Replaces "setback" with "challenge", emphasizing the need to overcome a difficult situation.

it encounters an obstacle

Replaces "setback" with a more general term, "obstacle".

it experiences a difficulty

Substitutes "faces a setback" with "experiences a difficulty", focusing on the act of undergoing a problem.

it is challenged by a difficulty

Highlights the challenging nature of a difficult situation.

it meets with adversity

Uses a more formal term, "adversity", to represent a challenging situation.

it runs into trouble

Offers a more informal and direct way of expressing the occurrence of a problem.

it suffers a reverse

Employs "suffers a reverse" to highlight a negative turn of events.

it is hampered by a problem

Highlights the hindering effect of a problem using "hampered".

it grapples with an issue

Emphasizes the struggle involved in dealing with a problem.

it is hindered by an obstacle

Focuses on the impediment caused by an obstacle.

FAQs

How can I use "it faces a setback" in a sentence?

Use "it faces a setback" to describe a situation where something encounters an unexpected obstacle or difficulty, such as, "The project was progressing smoothly until "it faces a setback" due to funding issues".

What are some alternatives to "it faces a setback"?

You can use alternatives like "it encounters an obstacle", "it experiences a difficulty", or "it confronts a challenge" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it faces a setback"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used to describe an entity encountering an obstacle.

What's the difference between "it faces a setback" and "it overcomes a setback"?

"It faces a setback" describes the situation when something encounters an obstacle, while "it overcomes a setback" describes the act of successfully dealing with and recovering from that obstacle.