an initial set of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial set of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a preliminary collection or group of items, ideas, or data that will be expanded or modified later. Example: "We will start with an initial set of requirements before finalizing the project specifications."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This group has also proposed an initial set of goals.

The New York Times - Sports

The system returns an initial set of retrieval results.

Stanford University

The teams began by attempting to identify an initial set of bots in the data.

MIT Technology Review

Care must be taken in selecting an initial set of parameter values.

Yale University

FA is employed to extract the underlying latent factors using an initial set of affective dimensions.

Applied Ergonomics

One of the outcomes of this study is an initial set of generic functional scenarii.

Advances in Space Research

Most notably, the Kilobots require no micromanagement or intervention once an initial set of instructions has been delivered.

Harvard University

(3) Full datset (initial release): we provide an initial set of shapes that contain the full information about the dataset.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When constructing an initial set of clusters, this procedure explicitly addresses the tradeoff between exploiting parallelism and incurring communication cost.

University of California, Berkeley

Minimizing efforts to define an initial set of policies.

EURASIP Journal on Information Security

As with Android, Web Intents documents an initial set of intent actions (edit, view, share, etc).

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an initial set of", specify what criteria determined the inclusion of items in that set. This provides context and clarity for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "an initial set of" without indicating whether this set will be expanded or modified later. Be specific about its role and purpose within the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial set of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a starting or preliminary collection. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

30%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial set of" is a versatile phrase used to denote a preliminary collection or group, often implying further expansion or modification. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals its common usage across diverse fields, including science, academia, and news media. The phrase maintains grammatical correctness and is suitable for both formal and neutral registers. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the context and purpose of the set. Alternatives like "a preliminary group of" or "a starting point collection of" can be employed depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary group of

Emphasizes the tentative nature and potential for later modification more strongly.

a starting point collection of

Highlights the idea of beginning a collection, rather than just a set.

an introductory selection of

Implies that the set is meant to be representative or educational.

a basic assortment of

Suggests a more diverse range within the initial collection.

an early compilation of

Focuses on the gathering or assembling aspect of the set.

a first batch of

Suitable when referring to items produced or processed in groups.

an original array of

Highlights the novelty or uniqueness of the initial collection.

a primary cluster of

Conveys the idea of elements being grouped or concentrated together.

a nascent assortment of

Emphasizes the emerging or developing nature of the collection.

a foundational grouping of

Highlights the role of the set as a base or starting point.

FAQs

How can I use "an initial set of" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial set of" to describe a starting collection or group of items, ideas, or data. For example, "The researchers began their analysis with an initial set of data points."

What are some alternatives to using "an initial set of"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a preliminary group of", "a starting point collection of", or "an introductory selection of".

Is there a difference between "an initial set of" and "a final set of"?

Yes. "An initial set of" refers to a collection that is likely to be modified or expanded, while "a final set of" implies that the collection is complete and not subject to further changes.

When is it appropriate to use "an initial set of" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "an initial set of" in formal writing when you need to describe the starting point of a process or analysis, particularly in academic or scientific contexts.