severe setback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe setback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant obstacle or difficulty that hinders progress or success in a particular situation. Example: "The project faced a severe setback when the main supplier went out of business unexpectedly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On the left, Labour suffered a severe setback.

The Guardian - Opinion

This would be a severe setback for Internet users.

The New York Times

The case was a severe setback to the use of the secondary boycott by unions.

Britannica

The legitimate uses for P2P technology may thus suffer a severe setback.

The Economist

Their disappearance is a severe setback to Hassan Khan, a prisoner serving life for a 2007 robbery in West Wickham.

The Guardian

The world's struggle against racism is heading for the same severe setback it suffered eight years ago.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the whole, I believe that the consequences of the crackdown have been a severe setback to the government.

The New York Times

But the opposition boycotted the vote and a court annulled the result, in a severe setback for the prime minister.

The New York Times

Most industries consider the loss of a few percentage points in their market a severe setback, even a catastrophe.

Harvard Business Review

The developments in Belgrade represent a severe setback to EU efforts to engineer a pro-western government in Serbia.

The Guardian

Not only that but Podemos, which had taken part in the election in coalition with other political forces, suffered a severe setback, losing about 1.1 million votes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "severe setback". In some situations, less dramatic phrasing might be more appropriate, especially if downplaying the negative aspect is desired.

Common error

Avoid using "severe setback" for trivial or easily recoverable issues. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact when describing truly significant hindrances. Choose more moderate language for minor inconveniences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe setback" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb. Ludwig's examples show it describing a significant negative event affecting progress or stability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe setback" is a frequently used phrase to describe significant hindrances or reversals. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, encyclopedias, and formal business communications. When writing, ensure that the intensity of the phrase aligns with the actual impact of the situation, avoiding overuse in trivial contexts. Consider alternatives like "major impediment" or "significant reversal" to tailor your language precisely. According to examples from Ludwig, authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian often employ this phrase to depict notable challenges and downturns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious blow

Highlights the damaging nature of the event.

heavy blow

Similar to serious blow but with a little difference in word choice.

significant reversal

Emphasizes the change in direction due to the negative event.

major reverse

Uses an alternative word choice to describe a setback.

major impediment

Replaces "setback" with a focus on the hindering aspect.

grave downturn

Focuses on the decline or worsening of a situation.

significant hurdle

Presents the setback as a challenge to overcome.

considerable drawback

Focuses on the negative aspect or disadvantage.

substantial difficulty

Emphasizes the problematic nature of the situation.

critical problem

Highlights the severity of the issue at hand.

FAQs

How can I use "severe setback" in a sentence?

Use "severe setback" to describe a situation where significant progress has been hampered, such as, "The project suffered a "severe setback" when funding was cut unexpectedly".

What can I say instead of "severe setback"?

You can use alternatives like "major impediment", "significant reversal", or "serious blow" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "severe setback" or "serious setback"?

Both ""severe setback"" and "serious setback" are correct and convey a similar meaning. "Severe" implies a greater degree of intensity or consequence than "serious".

What's the difference between "setback" and "challenge"?

A "setback" implies a reversal or obstacle that hinders progress, while a "challenge" is a difficult task or problem that can be overcome with effort.