be set in what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be set in what" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a sense of being established or determined about something, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "I need to be set in what I want to achieve before moving forward with my plans."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Here it will be set in what is essentially a cosmopolitan dining and shopping mall.

The New York Times - Food

Or at least look for it in the a new production of Verdi's "Rigoletto," which will be set in what the Met's general manager Peter Gelb, in an interview, called "the misogynist rat-pack world of Las Vegas" of 1960.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And to many others, Rihanna's decision has inspired fear and worry about the example she is setting in what has become the signal domestic abuse case of the social media age.

The New York Times

The bookstore is set in what was once a nineteen-twenties cinema.

The New Yorker

A grand formal restaurant is set in what had been the family's main dining room.

The New York Times - Travel

The Last Wild trilogy is set in what looks like a  fantasy world too.

The Guardian

Bonachela's Frame of Mind is set in what could be a New York warehouse, designed by Ralph Myers.

The Guardian

Similarly, Richard Linklater's "Dazed and Confused" is set in what — from the vantage point of 1993 — seemed like the altogether freer and cooler late '70s.

The New York Times

Tokyo, 1912: the first in Mishima's tetralogy is set in what was once a beautiful city suburb, where old meets new Japan.

The Guardian - Travel

And they have seasons: While the series was set in what Mr. King called "eternal spring," the movie takes place over a full year.

The New York Times

Although John Sayles's new film, "Amigo," is set in what seems to be a remote time and place — a hamlet called San Isidro, in the Philippines, around 1900 — it bridges the gap in a hurry.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for clearer, more direct phrasing like "is set in" or "takes place in" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be set in what" to introduce clauses or provide context. It's grammatically awkward. Instead, use conjunctions or prepositions to smoothly connect ideas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be set in what" functions as a connector, attempting to provide context or location. However, it is grammatically awkward and not a standard construction in English. Ludwig AI shows that it's often replaced with more precise and grammatically sound alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be set in what" is grammatically questionable and not a recommended construction in English writing. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that while the phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news and general writing, it's best to replace it with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "is set in" or other contextually appropriate phrases. Its infrequent usage and awkward construction contribute to its low expert rating.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be situated in what

Replaces "set" with "situated", focusing on the physical placement or location within a specific context.

be located in what

Uses "located" instead of "set", emphasizing the geographical or spatial positioning within a context.

be established in what

Substitutes "set" with "established", highlighting the act of founding or creating something within a particular environment.

be based in what

Replaces "set" with "based", focusing on the foundation or origin within a specified environment.

be framed in what

Emphasizes the context as a frame or boundary, using "framed" instead of "set".

be grounded in what

Highlights the fundamental or foundational aspect of being within a context, using "grounded" instead of "set".

be defined by what

Focuses on the defining characteristics of a context, using "defined" instead of "set".

be determined by what

Emphasizes that something is controlled or decided by a particular context, using "determined" instead of "set".

be influenced by what

Highlights the impact of a context on something, using "influenced" instead of "set".

be contextualized by what

Focuses on providing context to something, using "contextualized" instead of "set".

FAQs

How can I use a more grammatically sound alternative to "be set in what"?

Consider using phrases like "is set in", "takes place in", or "is situated in". These alternatives provide better clarity and grammatical correctness.

What is a common mistake to avoid when trying to use "be set in what"?

A common error is using "be set in what" as a direct connector of ideas. Instead, opt for linking words or rephrase the sentence for better flow.

Which phrase is correct: "be set in what" or "is set in"?

"Is set in" is grammatically correct. The phrase "be set in what" is awkward and doesn't follow standard English grammar.

What are some situations where "is set in" is more appropriate than "be set in what"?

Use "is set in" when describing the location or time period of a story, movie, or event. For example, "The film is set in Paris."