set back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that has been hindered or delayed in terms of progress or development. For example, "This project has been set back by the difficulties that we have faced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Argentina's collapse has set back these hopes.

The Economist

Clocks are set back one hour.

The New York Times

Good sense does always set back in".

The New York Times

Civilisation would be set back several centuries.

The Guardian

Sinclair was not really set back personally.

The New York Times - Books

And she set back feminism four decades.

The Guardian - Opinion

Civil unrest set back production in Nigeria.

The New York Times - Magazine

But the cause has been set back.

The Guardian

In fact, it set back that effort.

The New York Times

Failure could set back American-led Mars explorations for years.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Aneurin Bevan received a personal set-back at the conference.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set back" to mean 'delay', ensure the context clearly indicates what is being delayed. For instance, 'The rain set back the construction by a week' is clearer than 'The rain set back the construction'.

Common error

Avoid using "set back" in a way that obscures who or what is causing the delay. For example, instead of 'The project was set back', specify 'The funding cuts set back the project'.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "set back" functions primarily as a verb of causation, indicating that something or someone has caused a delay or hindrance. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe how events impact progress, such as a collapse setting back hopes or civil unrest affecting production. It can also denote financial cost.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66.1%

Formal & Business

8.5%

Science

6.8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3.4%

Wiki

1.7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "set back" is a versatile term that signifies either a delay in progress or a financial cost. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. When writing, make sure to specify what or who is causing the delay to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "delay progress" or "hinder development" can be used to express similar meanings, while "cost a fortune" captures its financial connotation. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for formal and informal communication. Its frequency is very common, as highlighted by the numerous examples from authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cause a setback

Indicates the action of creating an obstacle to progress.

delay progress

Focuses on the act of slowing down or postponing advancement.

obstruct progress

Signifies a more forceful impediment to advancement.

hinder development

Emphasizes obstructing or impeding the growth or evolution of something.

impede advancement

Highlights the obstruction of forward movement or progress.

postpone advancement

Focuses on delaying something positive.

put off schedule

Highlights that an event will happen later than planned.

slow down

Expresses a general reduction in speed or rate.

hold up

Implies a temporary delay or stoppage.

cost a fortune

Related to the meaning of "set back" when it refers to a financial cost.

FAQs

How can I use "set back" in a sentence?

You can use "set back" to indicate a delay or hindrance, as in "The storm "set back" our plans" or to express a financial cost, such as "The repairs "set back" me $500".

What are some alternatives to "set back"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "delay progress", "hinder development", or "cost a fortune".

Is it correct to say "setted back" instead of "set back"?

No, "set back" is an irregular verb. The past tense and past participle of "set back" is "set back", not "setted back". Therefore, "setted back" is grammatically incorrect.

How does "set back" differ from "hold back"?

"Set back" usually implies a delay or hindrance, while "hold back" suggests restraining or preventing something from moving forward or being revealed. For example, "The accident set back the project" versus "He held back his tears".