serious setbacks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious setbacks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe significant difficulties or obstacles that hinder progress or success in a particular situation. Example: "The project faced serious setbacks due to unforeseen circumstances, delaying its completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But it suffered two serious setbacks.

The Economist

Those concerns were crystallised on July 2nd when two large firms reported serious setbacks.

The Economist

"We know there have been serious setbacks and grave disappointments over the last decades.

The New York Times

I want to take it slow and not have any serious setbacks.

The New York Times - Sports

Some owners' core businesses have had serious setbacks because of the recession.

The New York Times - Sports

The SLA has suffered serious setbacks in the Jezzine area from guerrilla roadside bombs.

The Guardian

The injury crisis at Arsenal has deepened this week with serious setbacks befalling on two of the club's key players.

Independent

Campaigns to eliminate the crippling disease in those countries have suffered serious setbacks over the past year.

The New York Times

The global effort to eradicate polio, a disease that has been on the brink of extinction for years, is facing serious setbacks on two continents.

The New York Times - Health

But a person who's never experienced any real serious setbacks and challenges is going to have a very hard time working for us.

The New York Times

One thing that is true — famous people, whether athletes or actors, are more likely to be able to overcome serious setbacks than the average Joe.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about projects or plans, use "serious setbacks" to clearly indicate significant impediments that have negatively impacted progress. For instance, "The company faced serious setbacks due to supply chain disruptions".

Common error

Avoid using "serious setbacks" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "tough breaks" or "hard times" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious setbacks" functions as a noun phrase that describes significant impediments or obstacles that hinder progress or success. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious setbacks" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe significant difficulties or impediments. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides numerous real-world examples. It is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias and scientific contexts. While versatile, it should be used judiciously in more informal settings, where alternatives such as "tough breaks" might be more appropriate. Understanding the nuances of its usage, as well as related phrases like "major impediments" or "significant difficulties", can greatly enhance the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

major impediments

Emphasizes the hindering nature of the problems.

significant difficulties

Highlights the problematic and challenging aspects.

grave disappointments

Focuses on the feeling of letdown caused by the failures.

major roadblocks

Suggests obstacles preventing progress.

severe reverses

Implies a change of fortune for the worse.

critical failures

Highlights the complete lack of success.

substantial regressions

Focuses on the act of returning to a previous, worse state.

tough breaks

Informal way to describe unfortunate events or circumstances.

harsh misfortunes

Highlights bad luck and unfortunate events.

tough times

Refers to difficult periods or experiences.

FAQs

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

You can use "serious setbacks" to describe significant obstacles or problems that hinder progress. For example, "The company experienced serious setbacks during the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "serious setbacks"?

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

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

Yes, "serious setbacks" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing business, academic, or news-related topics. It clearly conveys the severity of the issues encountered.

What's the difference between "serious setbacks" and "minor inconveniences"?

"Serious setbacks" indicate significant problems that substantially impact progress or success, while "minor inconveniences" refer to smaller, less impactful issues that cause only slight disruption.