I was setting aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was setting aside" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of reserving or saving something for a later time or purpose. Example: "I was setting aside some money each month to save for a vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The normalization factor αi in Eq. 9 is necessary to ensure that the distribution is a partition – i.e., that the contributions from the cross-validation step in which compound i was set aside sum to the observed cross-validation error in prediction.

Journal of Cheminformatics

I want to get this entirely off my plate so I'm setting aside a whole day to complete the task.

Harvard Business Review

I'm setting aside a few minutes each day to let Mr. Puddicombe whisper in my ear with the hope that on my next flight, I'll be able to lean back, sip my club soda and gently accept whatever racket may come.

The New York Times - Travel

This estimate is based on assuming a 15% increase in per-barrel emissions, which is the upper limit given by the expert that Romm cites; I'm setting aside the fact that we're actually talking about less than 900,000 barrels, since part of what would be carried isn't bitumen, but rather lower-carbon diluent.

The New York Times

Furthermore, the kinds of on-demand services that are on offer in big urban hubs like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles are no less desirable for the upper middle class denizens of the southeast (I'm setting aside the issue of the digital divide for now) and Shipt was uniquely positioned to capture their business.

TechCrunch

I'm setting aside all vanity and sharing my worst photo with you.

Huffington Post

(I'm setting aside Cape Town's "coloured" population for now because I'm still in the process of trying to negotiate that beige area and fully understand the term, but from what I've seen and heard, integration for that 42percentt majority remains sorely lacking).

Huffington Post

So in thinking that dancing on tables and drinking men under them equals me being lovable or on the verge of stardom, I'm setting aside the reality that I have a drinking problem and should probably stop flashing my boobs at the bouncer.

Huffington Post

But I wish it was set aside so I don't have to read it.

The New York Times - Arts

But I have been setting aside profits every year, as I always knew I wanted to do something like this". In her career to date, Blakely's philanthropy has been focused on helping women and girls, with some early guidance from her friend and mentor Richard Branson (who, incidentally, became the first Brit to join the Pledge in February).

Forbes

I've been setting aside time right after I get home from work to write.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was setting aside" to clearly indicate that you were actively reserving or allocating something, whether it's time, money, or resources, for a specific purpose in the past.

Common error

Avoid using "I am setting aside" when referring to a past action. "I was setting aside" correctly indicates a continuous action in the past, whereas "I am setting aside" refers to a present action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was setting aside" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action of reserving or allocating something. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was setting aside" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes a past action of reserving or allocating something for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used in various contexts, including news, science, and everyday communication. While not extremely common, it effectively communicates the act of reserving resources, time, or effort. Alternatives like "I was reserving" or "I was putting away" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to use the correct tense to accurately reflect the time frame of your statement. The phrase is suitable for neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was reserving

This phrase emphasizes the act of keeping something available for future use or a specific person.

I was putting away

This alternative focuses more on the physical act of storing something, similar to reserving it for later.

I was earmarking

This implies designating something specifically for a certain use or recipient.

I was allocating

This term suggests a more formal distribution of resources for a particular purpose.

I was putting by

Similar to putting away, but with a stronger connotation of saving for the future.

I was saving

Focuses on accumulating something over time, rather than just the act of setting it aside.

I was keeping back

This suggests holding something in reserve, often secretly or intentionally.

I was stockpiling

Implies accumulating a large quantity of something for future use, often in anticipation of scarcity.

I was stashing

This suggests hiding something away, often secretly.

I was budgeting

Focuses specifically on financial planning and setting aside funds.

FAQs

How can I use "I was setting aside" in a sentence?

You can use "I was setting aside" to describe a past action of reserving something. For example, "I was setting aside some money each month for a vacation" or "I was setting aside time each day to practice the piano".

What's a good alternative to "I was setting aside"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I was reserving", "I was putting away", or "I was allocating", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I am setting aside" instead of "I was setting aside"?

The correct tense depends on the time frame you're referring to. Use "I am setting aside" for a present action and "I was setting aside" for a past action.

What does "setting aside" mean in the context of resources?

In the context of resources, "setting aside" means allocating or reserving them for a specific purpose. It implies that the resources are not available for general use but are designated for something particular.