Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

In my understanding 'deserve' is used in an active voice.

some of his political setbacks “were deserved"

Does this mean some of his political setbacks deserved their doubts?


The speech, Mr. Obama’s third to a joint session of Congress, comes at a particularly rocky point in his presidency, with many Americans — including some fellow Democrats — complaining that the president has lost sight of the priorities of ordinary people. And Mr. Obama acknowledged their doubts, conceding that some of his political setbacks “were deserved,” a striking admission for any president.
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Hiromichi

[pugachevV]

He could have said," I deserved some of my setbacks."
A setback is a reversal, or a check in progress.

[hiromichi]

pugachevV,
Thank you very much.
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Hiromichi