a set of footnotes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a set of footnotes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a collection of explanatory notes or references that are placed at the bottom of a page in a document or book. Example: "The author included a set of footnotes to provide additional context and sources for the claims made in the text."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The production makes many of its points so effectively in its staging and acting that the attendant speechifying can dangle like a set of footnotes.

The New York Times

By contrast, Mayhew decided that what his interview subjects said would be the foundation of his work rather than a set of footnotes.

The Guardian - Books

The Web has long been creating a huge set of footnotes to human existence — a set of footnotes that have taken on a logic and utility of their own.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But it was also, in a way, a set of explanatory footnotes for Mr. Golijov's "Pasión".

The New York Times - Arts

Call me a Luddite, but I would have been happy with a set of extensive footnotes and allowed to imagine the rest.

Independent

But you don't have to buy into the idea that she's in some way possessed of superhuman powers – a "casually insightful mystic", as film director Paul Thomas Anderson claimed – or believe that her work can only truly be understood with the aid of a lengthy set of footnotes to enjoy Divers.

The Guardian - Music

The exhilarating, scary mutability of gender identity has recently inspired brilliant investigations like the Off Broadway musical "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and the film "Boys Don't Cry," but those are passionate and troubling works of art, to which "Gendernauts" might be seen as a useful set of footnotes.

The New York Times

Outside those hours senior editors have a set of guidelines for amending and footnoting online articles when necessary.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even with the most sympathetic mind and the most comprehensive set of footnotes, the non-Aboriginal has little means of assessing the relation of custom to individual performance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

See the dataset itself for the full set of footnotes.

Huffington Post

Using a footnote in a set of Supreme Court briefs, Attorney General John Ashcroft announced a radical shift last week in six decades of government policy toward the rights of Americans to own guns.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a set of footnotes", ensure they provide genuinely useful supplementary information, such as sources, clarifications, or expansions on key points, rather than distracting from the main text.

Common error

Avoid using "a set of footnotes" for tangential or irrelevant details. Keep them concise and directly related to the content to maintain readability and prevent reader fatigue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a set of footnotes" functions as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound, it commonly refers to a collection of explanatory notes or references that provide additional information or support within a text. It acts as a subject or object in a sentence, denoting the footnotes themselves.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a set of footnotes" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English that refers to a collection of explanatory notes or references at the bottom of a page. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Scientific, and Encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the footnotes are relevant and add value to the main text, and avoid overloading with unnecessary or tangential information. Alternatives include phrases like "a collection of annotations" or "supplementary explanations".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a collection of annotations

Emphasizes the gathering or accumulation of explanatory notes, differing from 'set' in its focus on aggregation.

a body of endnotes

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the additional information, using 'body' to suggest a substantial amount.

a series of references

Focuses on the referencing aspect of footnotes, differing from 'set' by emphasizing sequence.

supplementary explanations

Highlights the supportive and clarifying function of footnotes, differing in its directness and lack of structural element.

additional annotations

Emphasizes the extra explanatory notes provided, simpler and less formal than the original.

explanatory notes

Focuses directly on the function of providing explanation, less structured than "a set of footnotes".

contextual addenda

Highlights additional contextual information appended to the main text, more formal and academic in tone.

supporting documentation

Emphasizes the role of footnotes in providing evidence and support, shifting focus from explanation to validation.

detailed elaborations

Highlights the in-depth nature of the explanations offered, differing by emphasizing thoroughness rather than structure.

ancillary information

Focuses on the supplementary and supportive role of the information, differing in its generality and lack of explicit connection to footnotes.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a set of footnotes" in academic writing?

In academic writing, use "a set of footnotes" to cite sources, provide additional context, or clarify complex ideas without disrupting the main flow of your argument. Make sure each footnote is relevant and adds value to your work.

What is the purpose of including "a set of footnotes" in a document?

The purpose of including "a set of footnotes" is to provide supplementary information such as citations, explanations, or elaborations that support the main text. This allows readers to delve deeper into specific points without cluttering the primary content.

When is it appropriate to use endnotes instead of "a set of footnotes"?

Use endnotes instead of "a set of footnotes" when you want to keep the main body of your text uncluttered, particularly if the notes are lengthy or numerous. Endnotes are typically placed at the end of a chapter or the entire document.

What are some alternatives to "a set of footnotes" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "a collection of annotations", "supplementary explanations", or "supporting documentation" to refer to additional information or references.