a personal set

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a personal set" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a collection or group of items that are specifically tailored or designated for an individual. Example: "She has created a personal set of tools that she uses for her art projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Yet they obviously adore their father, climbing on him as if he were a personal set of monkey bars.

The New York Times - Sports

Net 'n' Nest provides each employee with a personal set of desk drawers that can move along with them.

The New York Times

A lot of people like me who worked in Republican politics had a personal set of beliefs on issues that were at variance with the candidates that we worked for.

The New York Times - Magazine

The latest must-have for homeowners is a personal set of golf holes, complete with green and -- in elaborate setups -- multiple holes, sand traps, irrigation, waterfalls and lighting for evening play.

The New York Times

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, in a personal set of guidelines for committing forces to combat, wrote that leaders must quickly judge when diplomacy has failed, then "act forcefully, early, during the pre-crisis period" to foil an attack on the nation.

The New York Times

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, in a personal set of guidelines for committing forces to combat, wrote that America's leaders must quickly judge when diplomacy has failed, then "act forcefully, early, during the precrisis period" to foil an attack on the nation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Aneurin Bevan received a personal set-back at the conference.

The New Yorker

The centre-back's display against Slovenia had been outstanding, as it often is in the immediate wake of a personal set-back but Germany, however, tapped into his lack of pace on the turn and he was left exposed too often.

The Guardian - Sport

I had the added physical element where my body was exhausted, but if I didn't take this time off, I would have been useless to everybody this year in a professional setting and probably a personal setting as well.

The New York Times

Indeed, much of the interest to be found in Greene's correspondence, which is mostly businesslike and dull, lies in his resolve to use political catastrophes as a personal setting for Russian roulette.

The New York Times - Books

If you're feeling low about being rejected, whether it's in a professional or a personal setting, sometimes nothing can make you feel better than talking to a trusted friend about it.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing items intended for a specific person or use, use "a personal set" to highlight the tailored nature of the collection.

Common error

Instead of saying "a personal set of keys", consider "my keys" for brevity and clarity when the context already implies ownership.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a personal set" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As Ludwig shows, it refers to a collection or group of items specifically intended for individual use or ownership.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a personal set" is a noun phrase used to describe a collection or group of items specifically intended for an individual's use. It's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. According to Ludwig, it functions to denote possession, customization or a specific association with an individual. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it is important to avoid redundancy by not overusing it when simpler possessive adjectives can be applied. Consider alternatives such as ""individual collection"" or ""customized compilation"" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual collection

Replaces "set" with "collection", emphasizing the assembled nature of the items.

private assortment

Substitutes "personal" with "private" and "set" with "assortment", highlighting exclusivity.

customized compilation

Uses "customized" to specify personalization and "compilation" to indicate an organized group.

personalized selection

Emphasizes tailoring to individual preferences using "personalized" and "selection".

exclusive array

Highlights the select and unique nature of the set with "exclusive" and "array".

bespoke collection

Uses "bespoke" to indicate custom-made and "collection" to denote a group of items.

tailored group

Focuses on adaptation to individual needs using "tailored" and "group".

distinctive accumulation

Highlights uniqueness with "distinctive" and the gathering of items with "accumulation".

individual allocation

Replaces "set" with "allocation", emphasizing the distribution of items to one person.

particular ensemble

Uses "particular" to specify a certain individual and "ensemble" to denote a coordinated set.

FAQs

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

You can use "a personal set" to refer to a collection of items that are intended for or belong to an individual. For example, "She received "a personal set" of art supplies as a gift".

What are some alternatives to "a personal set"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "individual collection", "private assortment", or "customized compilation".

Is it redundant to say "a personal set of my own"?

Yes, saying "a personal set of my own" is redundant. "Personal" already implies ownership, so "of my own" is unnecessary. Use either ""a personal set"" or "a set of my own".

When is it appropriate to use "a personal set" instead of just "my set"?

Use ""a personal set"" when you want to emphasize that the items are specifically chosen or tailored for an individual's needs or preferences. "My set" is more general and simply indicates possession.