suffering a reverse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffering a reverse" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward. It could be used in contexts discussing setbacks or losses, particularly in business or competitive situations. Example: "After months of progress, the company is now suffering a reverse in sales." Alternative expressions include "experiencing a setback," "facing a downturn," or "undergoing a decline."

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

America, by contrast, is not producing software engineers in the numbers it needs.According to Promod Haque of Norwest Venture, a venture-capital firm, it is also suffering a "reverse brain-drain" as Indian and Chinese engineers go home.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

After suffering a series of reverses, Fremont, who commanded federal forces in Missouri, declared that he would emancipate the slaves owned by his Confederate opponents.

The New York Times

Across our continent, it is suffering reverse after reverse before the onslaught of violent jihadism, which in turn can provoke Islamophobia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Wolves looked to be suffering a hangover from Sunday's 4-2 reverse at Derby, which brought their four-game unbeaten run in the Championship to an end.

The Guardian - Sport

The reverse camera angle revealed Theismann suffering a grotesque compound leg fracture.

The New Yorker

"They've suffered a reverse.

The Guardian

It was not until early November that the Blades dropped points, suffering a 3 0 home defeat by Middlesbrough before a 2 0 reverse at the hands of struggling Darlington.

Wikipedia

For years, BT has been suffering a slow loss of market share in broadband to Sky, but that trend has been reversed in the last three quarters.

The Guardian

The bike gives suffering a purpose.

The New Yorker

It is also suffering a critical assault.

The Economist

The economy was suffering a recession.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suffering a reverse", ensure the context clearly indicates a setback or loss in a previously positive trend. For more general negative experiences, consider alternatives like "experiencing difficulties".

Common error

Avoid using "suffering a reverse" in casual conversation. It sounds overly formal and can be replaced with simpler phrases like "having a tough time" or "dealing with a setback".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffering a reverse" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating that someone or something is experiencing a setback or downturn. Ludwig examples show its use in describing situations ranging from business declines to personal hardships. Ludwig AI considers the phrase acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suffering a reverse" describes the experience of facing a setback or downturn. While grammatically acceptable, it's not as commonly used as alternatives like "experiencing a setback" or "facing a downturn". As Ludwig AI reports, the phrase is fine to use, but bear in mind that it may sound slightly formal. Its primary usage context is news and media, suggesting a relatively formal register. When writing, consider whether a simpler, more direct phrase would better suit your intended audience. When writing, consider whether a simpler, more direct phrase would better suit your intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experiencing a setback

Focuses on the experience of encountering an obstacle, rather than the outcome itself.

facing a downturn

Specifically suggests a decline in a positive trend or condition.

undergoing a decline

Emphasizes the process of decreasing or deteriorating.

encountering difficulties

Highlights the challenges and problems being faced.

having a relapse

Implies a return to a previous, less desirable state.

taking a beating

Suggests severe damage or losses incurred.

hitting a snag

Indicates a sudden, unexpected problem or obstacle.

stumbling upon a problem

Highlights an unforeseen difficulty that has appeared.

enduring a loss

Concentrates on the negative outcome of an event or situation.

running into trouble

Suggests encountering problems or unfavorable circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "suffering a reverse" in a sentence?

Use "suffering a reverse" to describe a situation where progress has been interrupted by a setback, for instance, "The company is "suffering a reverse" in sales after a product recall".

What's the difference between "suffering a reverse" and "experiencing a setback"?

"Suffering a reverse" often implies a more significant and unexpected downturn, whereas "experiencing a setback" can refer to any temporary obstacle or delay.

What are some alternatives to "suffering a reverse" that I can use?

Depending on the context, consider using phrases like "facing a downturn", "undergoing a decline", or "experiencing difficulties".

Is it grammatically correct to say "suffering a reverse"?

Yes, "suffering a reverse" is grammatically correct, although it's considered less common and more formal than other similar phrases. It's acceptable, as indicated by Ludwig's analysis, but might sound awkward in informal settings.