a complete set

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a complete set" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a collection of items that includes all necessary components or elements. Example: "To solve the puzzle, you need to have a complete set of pieces."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is a complete set.

The New Yorker

Bought a complete set of Proust.

The New Yorker

The tapes in Hong Kong were a complete set.

The New York Times

It was a complete set of songs (along with videos).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Last summer he read a complete set of encyclopedias.

The New York Times

A complete set of macromolecular interactions (physical and genetic).

Nature

Wtransform produces a complete set of outputs for each scale.

Harvard University

This course features a complete set of homework assignments.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A complete set of Lecture Videos by Prof. Guttag.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Library has a complete set (12 volumes bound in 6).

Princeton University

A complete set of Lecture Videos by Prof. Sadoway.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, when referring to data or parameters, "a complete set" indicates that all necessary variables or elements are accounted for in your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "a complete set" if you're unsure whether all components are actually present. Use qualifiers like "nearly complete" or "almost a complete set" if there are minor gaps.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a complete set" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in various contexts to denote a collection with all its necessary parts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a complete set" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a collection that contains all its necessary elements. According to Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. The analysis reveals that while the phrase is relatively neutral in tone, it's more frequently used in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the collection being described is indeed whole and contains all its required components. For alternatives, consider options such as "a full set" or "a comprehensive collection" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a full set

Replaces "complete" with "full", implying that nothing is missing. It's a direct synonym with slightly less formality.

a comprehensive collection

Substitutes "set" with "collection", emphasizing the gathering of items. "Comprehensive" suggests a thoroughness.

a total package

More idiomatic, implying everything needed is included, often used in business or marketing contexts.

an entire inventory

Replaces "set" with "inventory", implying a list of items, suitable for contexts about available stock or resources.

a finished compilation

Emphasizes the completion of a work bringing together various pieces. Suitable for music or literature.

a whole series

Suggests all parts are present in an ordered sequence.

a thorough assortment

Highlights the diverse nature of the included items. "Thorough" emphasizes careful selection or inclusion.

a detailed compendium

Suitable for academic or technical contexts. "Compendium" suggests a concise but complete collection of information.

an exhaustive array

Suggests all possibilities within some category are included. "Exhaustive" means everything has been considered.

a finalized selection

Implies a careful curation where all necessary components have been chosen.

FAQs

How can I use "a complete set" in a sentence?

You can use "a complete set" to describe collections where all items are present, such as "The library has "a complete set" of Shakespeare's works" or "The game requires "a complete set" of dice to play".

What's a more formal alternative to "a complete set"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "a comprehensive collection" or "a full inventory", which convey a similar meaning with increased sophistication.

Is "a complete set" the same as "a partial set"?

No, "a complete set" indicates that nothing is missing, while "a partial set" means that some items are absent or incomplete. They are antonyms.

When is it appropriate to use "a complete set" in technical writing?

In technical or scientific writing, "a complete set" signifies that all required data, parameters, or components are included for analysis or implementation. For example, "We obtained "a complete set" of measurements for the experiment".