11 Phrasal Verbs with SET

11 Phrasal Verbs with SET

Hello, dear English learners! Today, we are exploring a wonderfully versatile verb: SET. When combined with different prepositions, it creates a whole range of useful phrasal verbs you can use in everyday English — especially useful for B2 First and C1 Advanced students. 

Set about

Meaning: to begin doing something in an organised or determined way.

• Fiona set about rearranging the furniture in her flat.
• After the war, people set about rebuilding their homes.

Set against

Meanings:

a) To make someone oppose another person

• When they divorced, Jane set all their friends against Sean.

b) To compare something with something else

• The mountain looked breathtaking set against the bright blue sky.

Set apart

Meanings:

a) To save or reserve something for a special purpose

• Bob set apart some money for the holiday.
• That room was set apart for guests.

b) To make someone or something different

• What set the village apart from others was its old paper factory.

Set aside

Meaning: to save money, time, or space for a specific purpose.

• Sandra set aside two hours to prepare food for the trip.
• The government set aside enough funds to build a new road.

Set back

Meaning: to delay progress.

• Bad weather set back the construction of the theatre.
• Financial issues set back the opening of the new supermarket.

Set down

Meaning: to write or record something officially.

• The judge set down the date for the next hearing.
• The government set down strict safety standards.

Set in

Meaning: to begin and seem likely to continue.

• Rainy weather set in for the whole week.

Set off

Meaning: to start a journey.

• You’d better get some sleep — we’re setting off early tomorrow.
• They set off for Cambridge straight after breakfast.

Set on

Meaning: to attack someone suddenly.

• As soon as he left the building, he was set on by a group of paparazzi.

Set out

Meanings:

a) To start a journey

• We set out from London for Glasgow on Saturday morning.

b) To arrange or display something

• Her shop window has always been set out in a charming rustic style.

Set up

Meaning: to help establish something or provide the money needed for it.

• The bank helped her set up a hairdressing business.

Do the quiz to perfect your knowledge: