lead to setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead to setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing potential negative outcomes or obstacles that may arise as a result of certain actions or decisions. Example: "The lack of proper planning can lead to setbacks in the project's timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He has worked with patients who have returned to work faster, but he said that could lead to setbacks, both physically and in a career.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Of course, putting Britain's best man on the case naturally led to setbacks for the villain.What can we learn from these case studies?

The Economist

The Economic Times reports that Citigroup directors replaced Mr. Pandit because they believed he had "mismanaged operations," which led to "setbacks with regulators and a loss of credibility with investors".

The New York Times

The evidence against U.S. withdrawal is already available - its absence from the Council's tables during the first two years of its existence led to setbacks on multiple fronts, including the preponderant focus on Israel.

Huffington Post

(Mr. Olson nonetheless privately counseled that terrorism suspects be given certain basic legal rights, administration officials said, correctly predicting that failure to do so would lead to Supreme Court setbacks).

The New York Times

Their proposed framework explicitly requires the fragmentation of each frame which could lead to performance setbacks for video streaming traffic.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Any attempt to change at the core in this way, without self-esteem, will lead to continual setbacks and depression.

WikiHow

Tannehill, in his second year, is not good enough to overcome one of the league's worst lines, and that could lead to a setback in his development.

The New York Times - Sports

Sunday's general election in Turkey, six months after polls resulted in a hung parliament, could also lead to a setback.

The Guardian

Because one stumble — an unpaid electricity bill, for example — can lead to cascading health setbacks.

The New York Times - Magazine

Injuries, most notably a season-ending one to center Anderson Varejao, led to significant setbacks.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about projects or processes, use "lead to setbacks" to acknowledge potential risks and encourage proactive planning to mitigate these negative outcomes.

Common error

While "lead to setbacks" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "result in complications" or "cause obstacles" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead to setbacks" functions as a causal verb phrase, indicating that something causes or results in problems or delays. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lead to setbacks" is a versatile expression used to describe how certain actions or conditions can cause delays or problems. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. While widely used across various authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Economist, overuse should be avoided to maintain writing engagement. Consider using synonyms such as "result in difficulties" or "cause complications" for variety. When employing "lead to setbacks", ensure you clearly establish the causal relationship to enhance clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

result in difficulties

Replaces "setbacks" with a more general term for problems.

cause complications

Focuses on the complexity introduced by the negative outcome.

create obstacles

Highlights the obstructive nature of the negative outcome.

generate problems

Emphasizes the creation of issues.

trigger delays

Specifically refers to causing time-related issues.

precipitate issues

A more formal way of saying to cause problems.

give rise to impediments

Formal and emphasizes hindrance.

bring about hindrances

More descriptive and emphasizes the act of causing obstruction.

engender reversals

More formal, suggesting a change to an opposite direction.

contribute to regressions

Implies movement backward.

FAQs

How can I use "lead to setbacks" in a sentence?

You can use "lead to setbacks" to indicate that a particular action, decision, or situation could cause delays or problems. For example: "Poor planning can "lead to setbacks" in project completion."

What can I say instead of "lead to setbacks"?

You can use alternatives like "result in difficulties", "cause complications", or "create obstacles" depending on the specific context.

Is "lead to setbacks" a formal or informal phrase?

"Lead to setbacks" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, you might consider alternatives such as "give rise to impediments".

What's the difference between "lead to setbacks" and "lead to failure"?

"Lead to setbacks" suggests temporary delays or minor problems, while "lead to failure" implies a complete lack of success. "Lead to setbacks" indicates challenges that can be overcome, whereas "lead to failure" suggests an insurmountable obstacle.