overcoming setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

"overcoming setbacks" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as personal narratives, motivational articles, or even in academic writing. Example: Despite facing multiple setbacks, she remained determined and focused on overcoming them to achieve her goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But the nation's interest grew as their team progressed from the group stage through the knockout rounds, overcoming setbacks such as Zidane's suspension for raking his studs against the body of Fuad Anwar, the Saudi captain, and France's subsequent abject display against Paraguay.

The Guardian - Sport

There was also a promotion with Papa John's in which customers entered a code so that $1 of each pizza purchase would go to Kentucky Children's Hospital, which received $63,000, said Dave Scott, who co-wrote Calipari's book, "Bounce Back: Overcoming Setbacks to Succeed in Business and in Life".

The New York Times - Sports

He already had a history of overcoming setbacks.

The New York Times - Sports

"Every turning point in the great man's life story required some deft combination of hard work, personal connections, perseverance in overcoming setbacks, and putting himself first in his financial dealings," write the two authors and/or their writing coach.

The New York Times - Books

It is still overcoming setbacks from the years when its president at the time, Thabo Mbeki, denied the scientific consensus that H.I.V. caused AIDS and that antiretroviral drugs were essential to treat the disease.

The New York Times

His resilience in overcoming setbacks, ideological adversaries and smear specialists was legendary.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

There are height and weight discrepancies, but both have developed determination to overcome setbacks.

The New York Times - Sports

Parents and teachers who support woodworking instruction for children say it also teaches them how to overcome setbacks.

The New York Times

A recurrent theme in Anschutz's movies, his F.B.L. ads, his art collection, and his business life is the ability to overcome setbacks.

The New Yorker

By adopting "bold" the trust wanted to encourage people to take risks, overcome setbacks and do things in a new way.

The Guardian

He spoke of the book he had written, "Companions in Courage," a collection of stories about young people who had overcome setbacks.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overcoming setbacks" to illustrate resilience and determination in narratives. It's effective in conveying a sense of progress and achievement after facing challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "overcoming setbacks" in situations where the challenge is minor or easily resolved. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and appear exaggerated. Instead, consider more nuanced language to reflect the actual scale of the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overcoming setbacks" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause to describe the act of surpassing difficulties. Ludwig examples show it in use within sentences describing personal achievements or strategic victories.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overcoming setbacks" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the act of successfully surpassing difficulties. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts. It's particularly prevalent in news and media, science, and formal business settings, highlighting its adaptability. While the phrase is effective for illustrating resilience, writers should avoid overuse in situations where the challenges are trivial. Alternative phrases like "surmounting obstacles" or "navigating challenges" can provide nuance. "Overcoming setbacks" serves as a useful expression for conveying progress and achievement in the face of adversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surmounting obstacles

Focuses on the action of climbing over or conquering barriers, emphasizing effort and achievement.

navigating challenges

Implies a process of skillfully dealing with difficult situations, focusing on strategy and adaptability.

triumphing over adversity

Highlights the ultimate victory and the difficult circumstances that were faced.

recovering from difficulties

Emphasizes the process of regaining strength or position after a period of hardship.

bouncing back from failure

Specifically addresses the ability to quickly recover from unsuccessful attempts.

turning the tide after losses

Suggests reversing a negative trend, implying a significant change in momentum.

weathering the storm of hardship

Evokes enduring a period of intense difficulty and emerging intact.

rising above impediments

Highlights the action of elevating oneself beyond limiting factors.

conquering difficulties

Focuses on the complete subjugation of challenges through direct action.

progressing through tough times

Emphasizes the act of moving forward despite experiencing a period of hardship.

FAQs

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

You can use "overcoming setbacks" to describe a process or an instance where someone has managed to move past a challenge. For example: "Her story is an inspiring example of "overcoming setbacks" and achieving success."

What are some alternatives to "overcoming setbacks"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "surmounting obstacles", "navigating challenges", or "triumphing over adversity".

Is it better to say "overcoming setbacks" or "overcoming obstacles"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Overcoming setbacks" implies recovering from a temporary defeat or difficulty, while "overcoming obstacles" suggests dealing with barriers that impede progress.

What does it mean to "overcome setbacks" in a business context?

In a business context, "overcoming setbacks" refers to a company's or individual's ability to recover from financial losses, project failures, or market downturns. This often involves strategic adjustments, innovation, and strong leadership.