Set up, set about, set down - in English there are many expressions with the word set. What do these up, about even mean? How is it translated and used? Let's find out!
12 meanings of phrasal verbs with set in English
Very often in English there is a mysterious combination: action + small word. Moreover, they are inseparable from each other and do not mean at all what they should mean separately. So, meet these phrasal verbs!
There are some tricks associated with phrasal verbs. Read more about their features in this article.
The word itself set has a number of meanings, the first of which is “to place in a specific place.”
However, phrasal verbs are known for the fact that their exact meaning is almost impossible to guess from the word itself.
Set here is no exception. Therefore, we will have to perceive all these set off, set aside and set back as separate words, each of which has its own characteristics.
Let's look at some common phrasal verbs c set.
1. Phrasal verb set about
Transcription and translation:/ [set ab'out] - start doing something, get started, take on.
Meaning of the word: Take up any type of activity
Use:
The action that comes after this word requires -ing after it! For example: We began (set about) to prepare (prepar ing) for the holiday. We need to start (set about) discuss (discuss ing) this problem.
Examples:
He set about repair ing the car himself.
He started fix the car yourself.
If you set about cook ing something on this old stove, please, be careful.
If will you take it? cook something on this old stove, please be careful.
2. Phrasal verb set apart from
Transcription and translation:/ [set ap'art from] - to distinguish, to separate from any community
Meaning of the word: To single out something from the crowd because this “something” is better or simply different. For example: His wide vocal range set him apart from other opera singers. Favorable deposit conditions distinguish our bank (set our bank apart from) from competitors.
Examples:
His experience set him apart from his colleagues.
His experience highlighted him among his colleagues.
What sets you apart from other candidates for this position?
What distinguishes you from other candidates for this vacancy?
3. Phrasal verb set aside
Transcription and translation:/ [set es`aid] - save money
Meaning of the word: Save and set aside money to buy something specific. For example: They started setting aside money to buy a car. He saves $100 (sets aside $100) every month.
Use:
After this word, you must use the word “money” or name a specific amount.
Examples:
I want to start setting aside money to buy a new bike.
I want to start save money to buy a new bike.
She set aside some money for that new jacket.
She postponed some money for that new jacket.
4. Phrasal verb set aside
Transcription and translation:/ [set es`aid] - move to the background
Meaning of the word: Discard, push something into the background, because there are more important things. For example: She put her career on the back burner when the baby was born. You need to set aside your fears and just do it.
Examples:
Let's set aside our personal feelings and concentrate on work.
Let's let's move it away on rear plan our personal experiences and focus on work.
We need to set aside our differences and try to reach a compromise!
We need move away on rear plan our differences and try to reach a compromise!
5. Phrasal verb set back
Transcription and translation:/ [set back] - delay, slow down
Meaning of the word: Slow down the rate of development of something for a certain period of time. For example: Difficulties in transporting building materials significantly slowed down (set back) the construction of a new bridge. Disagreements between members of parliament slowed down the adoption of reforms.
Use:
If we want to name a specific delay time, we use by: the weather slowed down (set back) our progress through the mountains for (by) several days. The new action plan will set back our project for (by) a month!
Examples:
The arguments among the superiors set back the project by several weeks.
Disputes among managers detained project for several weeks.
The accident at the lab set back our research significantly
A laboratory accident significantly slowed down our research.
6. Phrasal verb set off
Transcription and translation:/ [set of] - go, start a journey
Meaning of the word: Go somewhere. For example: We set off on a hike early in the morning. I want to set off tomorrow.
Use:
To clarify the place where we went, we use for: He went (set off) to (for) Edinburgh on Tuesday. We want to go (set off) to (for) Machu Picchu on our own.
If we specify not the place, but rather the name of the event (tour trip, business trip, etc.), then this will be on: The Prime Minister went (set off) on a business trip to Turkey. We went (set off) on (on) a long trip through the mountains.
Examples:
He set off for his country house yesterday.
He went to my country house yesterday.
We set off on a long journey to Australia.
We went on a long trip to Australia.
7. Phrasal verb set off
Transcription and translation:/ [set of] - start, activate the device
Meaning of the word: Activate some device: usually an explosive or some kind of automatic system: alarm, fire extinguishing system, etc. For example: Children set off firecrackers under the window. The burglar set off the alarm when he broke the window.
Examples:
Loud noises sometimes set off the alarm.
Loud noise sometimes leads V action alarm
The fire alarm was set off by somebody's cigarette.
The fire alarm was given V action someone's cigarette.
Let's find out some open space and set off the fireworks!
Let's find an open space and let's launch firework!
7. Phrasal verb set off
Transcription and translation:/ [set of] - trigger some events.
Meaning of the word: Become the cause of events, cause them, provoke them. For example: His speech yesterday caused (set off) a real scandal. Panic among shareholders caused a wave of stock sales to set off.
Examples:
When the millionaire appeared at the party without his wife, it set off a lot of rumors.
When a millionaire showed up at a party without his wife, it caused a huge number of rumors.
The new law has set off a wave of strikes all over the city.
New law called a wave of strikes throughout the city.
8. Phrasal verb set out
Transcription and translation:/ [set out] - get together, intend, take on some activity
Meaning of the word: Take on something with a specific purpose. For example: He set out to break the record of his predecessor. We finally finished what we set out to do a year ago and finished renovating the house!
Examples:
We set out to prove our theory.
We set out prove our theory.
Our company set out to become the best in this area.
our company got ready become the best in this field.
9. Phrasal verb set up
Transcription and translation:/ [set up] - install, build
Meaning of the word: Install any buildings or structures. For example: We set up a tent camp on the side of a mountain. A monument to the famous scientist was set up on the square.
Examples:
The police set up roadblocks on the bridge.
Police set up a roadblock on the bridge.
Mr. Smith set up a fence around his country house.
Mr. Smith installed a fence around his vacation home.
10. Phrasal verb set up
Transcription and translation:/ [set up] - install device
Meaning of the word: Install a device, mechanism or computer program and make it ready for use. For example: I installed a new alarm system yesterday. We need time to set up the equipment.
Examples:
We set up a stereo system in preparation for the party.
We installed stereo system, getting ready for the party.
One moment, I need to set up the camera.
moment I need install camera.
11. Phrasal verb set up
Transcription and translation:/ [set up] - organize an event or business
Meaning of the word: Prepare everything for the event, start a business. For example: We decided to organize (set up) a buffet in honor of the holiday. He set up a small corner store where he sells goods from his farm.
Examples:
Our club sets up meetings with famous writers.
Our club organizes meetings with famous writers.
You are going to need more money to set up your own business.
You need more money to organize Own business.
12. Phrasal verb set up
Transcription and translation:/ [set up] - substitute
Meaning of the word: Blame someone else for committing an unlawful act. For example: the arrested person tried to prove that his partner had set him up. What if this anonymous informer set up the police?
Use: Carefully, it's a colloquial word. However, it can be seen in newspapers, detective films and books, news reports and so on.
Examples:
This gun doesn't belong to me, I've been set up!
This gun is not mine, me framed!
He wasn't set up by his own business partners.
His framed own business partners.
Of course, this is not the entire list: new words of this kind appear constantly. However, his example clearly shows how diverse the world of phrasal verbs is. Moreover, they are very often used in colloquial speech - so be sure to pay attention to them when learning English.
Reinforcement task
Fill in the correct word in the blank. Leave your answers in the comments below the article.
1. Exceptional quality ___ our new product among similar ones!
2. Steve ___ finish the book no matter what.
3. To finish the project, Ann ___ everything else to do.
4. A new discovery by scientists ___ the wildest guesses.
5. If you want to go somewhere on vacation, start ___ money now.
6. I ___ on a business trip to Beijing tomorrow.
7. Someone was here! Otherwise, who ___ the alarm?
8. I can't ___ Windows on my computer!
9. In the summer at the dacha we usually ___ a hammock.
10. I ___ clean the room because I'm expecting guests.
11. We are planning ____ symposium in November.
12. The problem with the workers is very ___ our repairs.
13. I believe in your innocence, Harry! Someone must ___ you.
Remember that the verb set is incorrect. All three of its forms (present and past tense forms, as well as the past participle) are the same in form and look like set. In company with various pretexts phrasal verb set can express the following actions:
- Set about
– take steps (in relation to something), start something, spread (a rumor), take on something; start a fight, hit.
I came back home and immediately set about cleaning the house. “I returned home and immediately began cleaning.
She setsabout she work vigorously. “She gets down to work with determination.”
We set about each other at once. “We immediately started fighting.”
- Set apart
/ aside
– allocate, put aside (money), save, set aside (for something), discard (feelings); separate (fighting); cancel, cancel, exclude, abolish, disregard; be different from the rest.
She will set the magazines apart for you. – She will put these magazines aside for you.
Yesterday I visited emergency station to have my arm stitched. One of the dogs bit me when I was trying to set them apart.“Yesterday I was at the emergency room, they were stitching up a wound on my arm. One of the dogs bit me when I tried to separate them.
The room in the hotel set apart for us was large and beautiful. – The hotel room allocated for us was spacious and beautiful.
Why did they set all our offers aside? – Why did they reject all our proposals?
The prisoner hopes that the Supreme Court will set aside his sentence. – The prisoner hopes that the Supreme Court will overturn his sentence.
This was the day set aside for his business trip. – His business trip was scheduled for this day.
- Set back
– push back, move (the clock hands back), turn (the wheel of history back), slow down, throw back, cause damage (to the financial situation); stop (movement), hinder; place in the depths (of something).
Tomorrow we'll have to set back the clock. Don't forget about it. – Tomorrow we will need to set the clock back an hour. Do not forget about it.
Is there a building set back from the road? – Is there a building here set back from the road?
Ambulatory medical care set him back a few pounds. – Outpatient treatment cost him a pretty penny.
The heavy traffic set us back about half an hour. – Due to heavy traffic, we were delayed for half an hour.
The opening of a new museum has been set back by a few weeks. – The opening of the new museum was postponed for several weeks.
- Set by
– put aside, save (money); respect, appreciate.
She regularly set by ten pounds a week. She regularly saved ten pounds a week.
My name was much set by in former days. “In the past, I was highly valued.
- Set down
- put, put, put; drop off at a bus stop; state, write down (somewhere); attribute to someone (something).
Would you mind me settingyoudown at your door? – Do you mind if I take you all the way home?
He setmedown for fifty. “He thought I was fifty years old.”
Don't forget tosetdown her name and address. – Don’t forget to write down her name and address.
All their claims are set down in this document. – All their demands are set out in this document.
Can you set down your bag? -Can you put your bag down?
- Set forth
- to expound, to publish; to go on a trip); lay out, exhibit (on display); explain, print (literary works).
The new books were set forth for all to see. – New books were put on public display.
An hour later my mother set forth. - An hour later, mom left.
My colleague has set forth her ideas. – My colleague outlined her ideas.
The President set forth his plans in a television talk. – The President outlined his plans in a television program.
This year we are going t o set forth on a journey. – This year we are going to go on a trip.
- Set in
– expose, sew in (sleeve, insert), step on, establish (about the time of year, weather), begin, rise (about rain, wind, storm).
A thaw has set in.- The thaw has begun.
Autumn is setting in. - Autumn is coming.
Disappointment seems to have set in among the team. – It seems that the team is overcome by disappointment.
This sewing machine will help you to set in a sleeve. – This sewing machine will help you sew on a sleeve.
- Set off
– launch, launch (a rocket), cause (protests), emphasize, win (look good); compensate, compensate, balance profits and losses; encourage someone to do something; go, go, go.
They had to set off a rocket. “They had to launch a rocket.”
Terrorists set off a bomb in the plane. – Terrorists detonated a bomb on the plane.
I bought a new dress set off with silver braid. – I bought a new dress, trimmed with silver braid.
There are two ways for you to set off this debt. – There are two ways in which you can compensate for this debt.
The dollar's decline has set off a wave of protests. – The fall of the dollar caused a wave of protests.
The story set us off smiling. – This story made us smile.
They set off in pursuit. “They set off in pursuit.”
What time are you setting off tomorrow afternoon? – What time are you leaving tomorrow afternoon?
- Set out
– located, put on display; set out, go, go, set off, fly out (by plane); to conceive, to intend.
We set out for Moscow. – We went to Moscow.
Lunch for five was set out in the small room. “Dinner for five was served in a small room.
He set out his reasons for the way he behaved there. - He outlined his reasons that prompted him to behave this way there.
He set out to write a history of civilization. “He intended to write the history of civilization.”
- Set to
- to take on something, to take on something energetically; to grip, to grasp; get into a fight; fight; to begin something, to intend to do something.
He wasn't set to enter the market. – He planned to enter the market.
I set myself to study English. – I began to study English persistently.
Why did they set to fighting? -Why did they start fighting?
- Set up
– set (record), organize (committee); establish, open, found (business); to portray someone, to unreasonably consider oneself to be someone, to provide; raise a cry, get back on your feet, recover from an illness; make claims, develop a theory; help someone get a job, etc. (even more meanings)
A monument was set up in her honour. “A monument was erected in her honor.
We set up a new record during the Olympic Games. – We set a new record at the Olympic Games.
They set up house together. – They began to live together.
My dream is to set up a shop of lady’s wear. – My dream is to open a women's clothing store.
Why did she set herself up to be a director? – Why is she pretending to be the director?
A holiday will set you up. – Rest will put you back on your feet.
My neighbor set up as a pharmacist. – My neighbor opened a pharmacy.
They set up a committee to discuss all urgent problems. “They organized a committee to discuss all pressing issues.
All new families should set up their own traditions. – All new families need to establish their own traditions.
I need someone to set up in the business. – I need someone to help me open my own business.
The portrait was set up on the stage. – The portrait was installed on the stage.
They have set up a charity organization for handicapped children. – They organized a charity to help disabled children.
One of the features of the English language is phrasal verbs. They represent a verb with a preposition and/or adverb, which are not translated separately, but form an independent unit of speech and are very different in meaning from their component parts. For example, the phrasal verb set in combination with various prepositions can mean both “pimp” and “hinder.” Usually the verb and the preposition follow each other, but sometimes other parts of the sentence can be inserted between them.
Should you use phrasal verbs?
Phrasal verbs are found everywhere: in speech, writing, books, periodicals. The best way to remember them is to pay attention to them when you see them. Subsequently, you can automatically insert them in the right place in a similar context. If you are in doubt whether it is a phrasal verb or just a verb followed by an adverb, you can always look in a dictionary (both regular and specialized, where only phrasal verbs are collected). And, of course, use them in your speech. Only practice will make them your friends.
Phrasal verb set
Today we will take the phrasal verb set as an example.
In its pure form, set is translated as: “set”, “install”, “define”, “assign”.
The workmen set the box carefully on the floor (The workers carefully placed the box on the floor).
The Prime Minister's fierce speech set the tone for the rest of the conference (The Prime Minister's strong speech set the tone for the entire conference).
This is an irregular verb, and its second and third forms correspond to the infinitive without the particle to - set, set, set. Participle I is formed as usual set + -ing = setting.
Phrasal verb set. Translation of various combinations
There are quite a lot of phrasal verbs based on set, and almost each of them has several meanings. For example, set up. The translation of the phrasal verb set up depends entirely on the context. Let's look at the options.
- Start (business). Now his father plans to set up shop somewhere in Europe (Now his father plans to open a store somewhere in Europe).
- To bring together, to pimp (used in informal dialogues). How did you meet Nick? A friend set us up (How did you meet Nick? A friend introduced us).
- To sponsor. After he qualified as a doctor, his mother set him up in a practice of his own (When he received his medical degree, his mother gave money to open his own practice).
Set in: to begin (about something long and not very pleasant). Winter seems to be setting in early this year (It seems that winter will be early this year).
- Set off, leave. I set off early to avoid the traffic (I leave early to avoid traffic jams).
- Decorate. The blue sundress set off her long blonde hair (The blue sundress highlights her long blonde hair).
Set out: to leave, fly out (especially on a long-term trip). Betty is setting out on a European journey in summer (Betty is going on a tour of Europe in the summer).
Set back: hinder, delay. Illness had set me back a couple of weeks (The illness delayed me for a couple of weeks).
- Record, put in writing. I wanted to set my shopping list down on the paper (I wanted to write down the shopping list on paper).
- Drop off (from a car, bus). The driver set her down at the station (The driver dropped her off at the stop).
Set apart: advantageous to distinguish, highlight. Man's ability to reason sets him apart from other animals (Man's ability to think distinguishes him from other mammals).
- Set aside (money), save, allocate (time). Try to set aside some time each day for exercise.
- Cancel. The judge set aside the verdict of the lower court (The judge annulled the verdict of the lower court).
Set forth: state (arguments, facts). He set forth an idealistic view of society (He set forth an idealistic view of society).
Set to: take on, take on (something energetically, with enthusiasm). If we all set to, we"ll finish the job in an hour (If we all strain ourselves, we will finish the job in an hour).
- Set one against the other, set each other against each other. The bitter civil war set brother against brother (The brutal civil war turned the brothers against each other).
- Set yourself against, boycott. She "s set herself against going to universe (She decided not to go to university).
Set about: to begin, to take steps (especially regarding something that requires time and effort). A team of voluntarees set about the task with determination (A group of volunteers decisively began the task).
Phrasal verbs differ from ordinary verbs in that they are capable of conveying different meanings, sometimes completely different from the original meaning of the structure. Such constructions also include the phrasal verb set, which, when used with various prepositions and adverbs, is capable of forming new meanings. In addition, the verb form itself has some peculiarities of formation and use. That is why it is necessary to consider its correct use and give possible examples of phrasal meanings.
Main features of the verb form
It is necessary to start with the fact that the original translation of the structure in question is “to establish, set, set.” But, as it becomes clear, the use of a phrasal verb allows it to form new forms. Moreover, the meaning of these meanings will often change radically, and the resulting expressions will be completely different from the base translation. This is what it looks like:
- We decided to set fire in the forest, but we had no matches, and the idea failed –We decided dilute fire V forest, But at us Not was matches, And idea failed
- Have you brought a rocket? Let's set if off right now! –You brought rocket? Let's launch it right now
In addition, the forms of the verb set deserve special attention. The fact is that the construction in question is an irregular verb, which is formed completely atypically for ordinary ones, where the perfect and past tenses are formed by adding the ending –ed. The 3 forms of the verb look like this: set – set – set, that is, the second form and the third completely coincide. In this case, you don’t have to worry that the wrong version of the structure will be selected for a particular tense category, since the 2nd form of the verb, for example, is no different from the first or third.
In addition, it is worth noting some peculiarity of the long verb form. The action word in question can easily be used in tenses of the Continuous category, if necessary. However, caution must be exercised here: the set in this form will be formed somewhat differently. The fact is that the last consonant of the word is preceded by a short vowel stressed sound, which means that such a consonant will be doubled, and the verb will take the form setting.
Set expressions with verb
The design's capabilities allow it to be used in various set expressions and idioms. It would be logical to assume that the original meaning of “establish” will be lost in such phrases, and the resulting meaning may sometimes completely differ from the original one. Here's what some of these expressions look like:
All these expressions are quite popular in English and are often used to colorfully emphasize a special meaning.
Set as Phrasal verb
The phrasal verb set is characterized by the fact that it is capable of forming a new meaning depending on what preposition or adverb is used with it. There are quite a few such options, and each of them deserves attention and memorization, since most of them are completely different from the typical meaning of set. Here are the options we are talking about:
- The phrasal verb set up has the meaning “to organize, establish”:
Everyone agreed that it was necessary to set up that committee –Everyone agreed that it was necessary to organize that committee
- the value set out is characterized by the meaning “send; flaunt":
I'm going to set out for London the day after tomorrow; do you need anything to buy there? –I I'm leaving V London day after tomorrow; you need to What— someday buy?
- the expression set in has the meaning “to advance, to be established”:
Do you see snow? Winter is setting in, it will be frosty soon –See snow? Winter is coming, it will soon be frosty
- the set to option is translated as “to take on, take on something” or “to get into a fight”:
He set himself to prepare for the exam, but he didn’t believe that he will succeed –He started prepare To exam, But Not believed, What will succeed V this
- the set by construction means “put aside, save up”:
Let's’ s set by a few dollars every day, and we’ ll be able to buy a new carpet soon- Let's save a few dollars a day, and soon we can buy a new carpet
All these meanings have one thing in common: they are all translated non-standardly and usually do not echo the original translation of the verb. Knowing such constructions means successfully using the capabilities of the English language and using the corresponding speech expressions appropriately.
synonyms found, constitute
Setting up greenhouseshas become his job – Constructiongreenhousesbecamehiswork
2) establish; found, open (enterprise)
synonyms found, originate, create, establish, produce
When was the university set up? - Whenopeneduniversity?
3) help (someone) get settled
Veryfewprivatecompanieshaveprogramstosetyoungspecialistfamiliesup – It’s rare that a private company has a program for raising the families of young professionals
4) prepare, plan
Such events need to be set up beforehand – SuchEventsnecessarypreparein advance
5) cause (something); to cause a pain)
Doctor,whatsetsupmyallergy? – Doctor, what causes my allergies?
6) colloquially to heal, to put (someone) on their feet
The med staff promised to set him up in a month – Medical Staffpromisedreturnhisperformancethroughmonth
7) raise (shout)
I can’t stand kids setting up a howl – NotI'm transferring, Whenchildrenare startingroar
8) impersonate (someone)
Shesetsherselfupbetterthanshereallyis – She pretends to be too proper a girl
9) sports to reach (heights), set (record)
The record set up 7 years ago is still unbeaten – Record7 year oldprescriptionAllmoreNotbeaten
10) train
The boxer hasn’t been set up for too long – BoxerNottrainedtoo muchfor a long time
11) colloquially to substitute, to let (someone) down
Somebastardhassetmeup – Some bastard set me up
12) adjust vernacular
The 2coachessettheirmatchup – Two coaches played a negotiated match
13) colloquially pour (drink)
Barman, set up a soda whiskey here – Bartender, carbonatedwhiskey!
14) American vernacular fight
What set me up was her beauty - Her beauty simply amazed me
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