major setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "major setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant obstacles or challenges that hinder progress in a situation or project. Example: "Despite the major setbacks we faced during the project, we managed to complete it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a result, Gonzalez has not had to deal with any major setbacks.

The New York Times

Pfizer and Eli Lilly had major setbacks last year in once-promising Alzheimer's drug experiments.

The New York Times

The Conservatives emerged from the voting on Thursday with no major setbacks.

The New York Times

There were market pauses after some of them, but no major setbacks for investors.

The New York Times

Every little victory was accompanied by two or three major setbacks.

The New Yorker

The widespread destruction of banana plantations caused by occasional hurricanes has created major setbacks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the major setbacks happened in the first two years of the government.

The Economist

Facebook, Google and Microsoft have all faced major setbacks with smartphones.

The Guardian - Tech

Eventually, in spite of major setbacks, doctors found a way of juggling his anti-HIV pills.

The Guardian

But their cause has had two major setbacks in the last month.

The New York Times

It is an undertaking that suffered major setbacks in the first decade after the Soviet collapse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects or long-term goals, use "major setbacks" to acknowledge significant impediments, but follow with an explanation of how these challenges are being addressed. This shows resilience and strategic thinking.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that there were "major setbacks" without specifying what those setbacks were or how they impacted the situation. Always provide concrete examples and explain the consequences to maintain clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major setbacks" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to denote significant impediments or difficulties that impede progress or success, often requiring substantial effort to overcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

13%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major setbacks" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe significant difficulties or impediments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's applicable across a range of contexts, from news and media to science and business. When using "major setbacks", it's best practice to provide specific examples and explain their impact to maintain clarity and credibility. Alternatives include "significant obstacles" or "serious difficulties". While the phrase is widely used, avoid overusing it without providing context to prevent confusion. In short, "major setbacks" is a versatile phrase for acknowledging significant challenges, but it's important to use it with precision and supporting details.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant obstacles

Emphasizes the obstructive nature of the difficulties.

serious difficulties

Highlights the severity and challenging aspect of the problems.

considerable challenges

Focuses on the demanding and testing aspect of the issues faced.

significant impediments

Stresses the hindering and obstructive nature of the issues.

substantial hurdles

Emphasizes the need to overcome the difficulties, likening them to barriers.

major stumbling blocks

Highlights the potential to cause someone to fail.

principal adversities

Focuses on the opposing and unfavorable conditions.

grave complications

Highlights the complex and serious nature of the problems.

tough breaks

This is a more informal way of phrasing "major setbacks".

severe blows

Emphasizes the sudden and impactful nature of the negative events.

FAQs

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

You can use "major setbacks" to describe significant problems that hinder progress, such as "Despite the major setbacks, the project was eventually completed".

What can I say instead of "major setbacks"?

You can use alternatives like "significant obstacles", "serious difficulties", or "considerable challenges" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "major setback" instead of "major setbacks"?

Yes, "major setback" is correct when referring to a single incident, while "major setbacks" refers to multiple incidents. For example, "The company suffered a major setback" versus "The company faced major setbacks this year".

What's the difference between "major setbacks" and "minor setbacks"?

"Major setbacks" indicate substantial hindrances that significantly impact progress, whereas "minor setbacks" refer to smaller, less impactful issues that may cause slight delays or inconveniences but don't critically endanger the overall goal.