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Set out meaning

Set out means to start doing something with a clear aim. It can also mean to leave a place and start a journey.

Check yourself: 3 questions

set out

set out · set · setting

C2No object+3 more meanings

She set out to become a doctor, and she did it.

Set out meanings and examples

4 meanings, each with its own CEFR level. A level marked ~ is our estimate: Oxford and Cambridge give none for that meaning.

  1. 1start doing something with a clear aim
  2. 2leave a place and start a journey
  3. 3explain or show facts clearly, often in writing
  4. 4put things in a place in a neat way, ready to use
  1. 1

    Start doing something with a clear aim

    set out

    C2No object

    • She set out to become a doctor, and she did it.
    • I didn’t set out to hurt anyone.
    • What did you set out to do with this project?
  2. 2

    Leave a place and start a journey

    set out

    B1No object

    • The fishermen set out before the sun came up.
    • We set out on our road trip with no real plan.
    • When did the climbers set out from the camp?
  3. 3

    Explain or show facts clearly, often in writing

    set something out

    B2Separable

    • The rules are set out on page two.
    • The report sets out three ways to cut costs.
    • Can you set your ideas out in an email?
  4. 4

    Put things in a place in a neat way, ready to use

    set something out

    B1Separable

    • Grandma set out cups and plates for the guests.
    • Here are the chairs. Could you set them out in rows?
    • The market sellers were setting out their fruit.
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Is set out separable?

When set out means start with an aim, it has no object and takes to + verb: She set out to win. For a journey, add for and the place: We set out for the coast.

When set out means explain or arrange, it is separable: set out the rules, set the rules out. It is very common in the passive: The steps are set out below.

Verb tenses for set out

PresentI set out · she sets out
Pastset out
Present perfecthave set out
-ing formsetting out

Common mistakes with set out

What learners often say, and what to say instead.

  • Wrong: He set out winning the race.

    Right: He set out to win the race.

    For an aim, set out takes to + verb, not -ing.

  • Wrong: We set out to the beach at nine.

    Right: We set out for the beach at nine.

    For a journey, use for before the place.

  • Wrong: The plan is set out in below.

    Right: The plan is set out below.

    Below needs no in.

Synonyms and opposites of set out

Words close to it, and words that mean the opposite.

Similar

Opposite

Set out quiz

Three quick questions. Pick an answer to see if it is right and why.

  1. 1She ___ to become a pilot, and ten years later she did it.

  2. 2Choose the right sentence.

  3. 3A contract says, “The rules are set out in Part 3.” What does this mean?

More phrasal verbs with set

5 phrasal verbs start with set. Test yourself on all of them in a few minutes.

Test yourself on setTake the full test

Set out FAQ

Questions people ask about set out.

Set out vs set off: what is the difference?

For journeys they are close. Set out can sound more planned, and only set out means start with an aim: He set out to change the world.

What does set out to do mean?

It means try to do something from the start, as your aim. She set out to learn 500 words in a month.

Is set out formal?

In the explain meaning it is quite formal and common in documents. For journeys and aims, it is neutral.

Use set out in real conversations

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