Setbacks or obstacles?
I translate this sentence form a Chinese prose:
Seeds which happen to fall into a pile of rubble rather than fertile soil, would never lament their lot nor feel sorry for themselves because they covet the struggle to overcome obstacles/setbacks.
I don't understand why I can't use "setbacks" here? What is the difference between "obstacles" and "setbacks" here?
Thank you.
Top answer
zuotengdazuo I don't understand why I can't use "setbacks" here? Who says that you can't? "covet" probably isn't the best choice of word.
- zuotengdazuo I don't understand why I can't use "setbacks" here?
- Who says that you can't?
- "covet" probably isn't the best choice of word.
- "relish" may be a possibility.
- The comma after "soil" should be deleted.
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zuotengdazuoI don't understand why I can't use "setbacks" here?
Who says that you can't?
"covet" probably isn't the best choice of word. "relish" may be a possibility.
The comma after "soil" should be deleted.
0Here's the very general idea.
obstacle something that blocks your progress
setback something that reverses your progress, usually temporarily
Of these two, for your example I'd choose 'obstacles'.
Other words are also possible, eg difficulties.
In your sentence, drop the comma after 'soil' and add a comma before 'because'.
0
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