was set back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was set back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been delayed or hindered in progress or development. Example: "The project was set back by unforeseen circumstances, causing a delay in the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obviously he was set back with the foot injury.

The New York Times

The Katzen campaign, however, was set back by two events.

The Washington Post

Their house was set back a little from the highway.

The Guardian

My timer was set back to zero," he said.

The New York Times

The cause of organized labor was set back years, if not decades.

The New York Times

The opening was set back again in March when a ceiling collapsed in the arrivals area.

The Economist

The restaurant was set back from a side street, in a drab, two-story structure.

The New York Times - Travel

The house was set back from the street, behind heavy foliage.

The New Yorker

His nuclear missile program was set back by a huge explosion last Aug.

The New York Times

Then the clock was set back again to just before midnight for a second test.

The New York Times

Each time participants awoke, the RefRN list was set back to wake RefRN targets.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was set back" when you want to emphasize that an event or action caused a delay or regression in progress. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "was set back" and the cause of the setback.

Common error

Avoid using "was set back" when an active construction is more appropriate. Ensure that the subject of the sentence is clearly acted upon, not acting. For example, instead of "The team was set back by themselves", consider "The team set themselves back."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was set back" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject experienced a delay or regression due to an external cause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe delays in projects, health, and even societal progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

21%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was set back" is a grammatically sound and common phrase used to describe situations where progress has been delayed or regressed. As Ludwig AI validates, its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. The phrase typically functions to explain why a delay occurred, emphasizing the negative impact. While alternatives like "was delayed" or "was hindered" exist, "was set back" often carries a stronger sense of regression. When using this phrase, it's crucial to maintain clarity about what experienced the setback and the reasons behind it, while avoiding passive constructions where active voice would be more effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was delayed

Replaces "set back" with a more straightforward term for postponement.

was hindered

Focuses on the impediment or obstruction caused, rather than just the delay.

was impeded

Similar to 'hindered', but suggests a more significant obstruction.

was hampered

Implies difficulty in making progress due to an obstacle.

suffered a setback

Emphasizes the negative impact or reverse in progress.

was reversed

Highlights the action of undoing or turning back progress.

was stalled

Suggests a complete halt in progress.

was thrown off course

Indicates a deviation from the planned trajectory.

experienced a reversal

Focuses on the experience of having something turned backward.

had its progress curtailed

Emphasizes the reduction or limitation of advancement.

FAQs

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

Use "was set back" to describe a situation where progress has been delayed or hindered. For example, "The project "was set back" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What's a good alternative to "was set back"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was delayed", "was hindered", or "suffered a setback" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "the project was set back because of"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The phrase "was set back" indicates a delay, and "because of" introduces the reason for the delay. For example, "The project "was set back" because of funding issues."

What is the difference between "was set back" and "was delayed"?

While both imply a postponement, ""was set back"" often carries a stronger connotation of regression or a negative impact on progress, whereas "was delayed" simply means something was postponed.