before setting to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before setting to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a preparatory action or thought process that occurs prior to beginning a task or project. Example: "Before setting to work on the project, I made sure to gather all the necessary materials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Trudy's thrilled, and they whirl about before setting to work.

Huffington Post

Tells what the contractor must do before setting to work.

The New Yorker

Early examples depict Tang-style court ladies, scholars perusing paintings and a calligrapher monk imbibing wine before setting to work.

The New York Times - Arts

Before setting to work, first lowering themselves down towards the stationary trains by rope, the men paused, taking a moment to drink in their surroundings.

Independent

Getting up just as the day breaks, we would put the kettle on to make coffee, tea and hot chocolate before setting to work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They started modestly, with a reproduction of the Lord's Prayer, before setting to work on the 180,568 words of the King James version of the New Testament.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Read through these steps and tips entirely before actually setting to work -- there's a time-consuming route (given first) and an easier way (via making a copy of the given macro) that will save a lot of time and effort!

WikiHow

I remember her fondly enough, mostly because she offered Chessmen cookies and orange juice before we set to work on my math assignment.

The New Yorker

James let the story ferment in his mind for more than two-and-a-half years before he set to work on it.

The Guardian - Books

She is very proud of his standing in his field, goes along unobtrusively on all his Paris expeditions, and talks over each new project with him before he sets to work on it.

The New Yorker

Inside, I stand in a vast, shiny indoor arena watching Ledley having a laugh with Michael Dawson, his successor as club captain, before he sets to work putting a schools group through their paces.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context to determine if a more formal or informal alternative is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the preparatory phase implied by "before setting to work" is self-evident. Explicitly state what needs to be done beforehand to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before setting to work" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. According to Ludwig, it's a correct and usable English phrase. The preposition "before" indicates a temporal relationship, specifying when an action occurs relative to the start of work.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Travel

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before setting to work" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a prepositional phrase indicating that an action occurs prior to the start of a task. While its usage is relatively uncommon, it is frequently found in News & Media. The phrase has neutral formality, with more formal or informal options available. Ludwig's examples show that it is often used to indicate preparation or gathering of materials. Always ensure that the action taken before commencing work is clear to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in preparation for beginning work

Focuses on the act of preparing specifically for the commencement of work.

prior to commencing work

More formal alternative, emphasizing the timing relationship with "work".

ahead of starting the task

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of doing something before beginning a specific task.

before proceeding with the task

Emphasizes the sequential action of starting after a preparatory step.

before embarking on the task

More formal and emphasizes the start of a significant or challenging task.

prior to tackling the work

Highlights the challenges involved in a task

previous to initiating work

A highly formal alternative, suitable for technical or legal contexts.

in anticipation of starting work

Highlights the expectation and preparation for the beginning of work.

before getting down to business

More informal, colloquial and emphasizes transitioning to serious work.

on the eve of starting work

Adds a sense of anticipation or imminence to the commencement of work.

FAQs

How can I use "before setting to work" in a sentence?

You can use "before setting to work" to indicate a preparatory action or thought process before beginning a task. For example, "Before setting to work, I made sure to gather all the necessary materials."

What are some alternatives to "before setting to work"?

Some alternatives include "prior to commencing work", "ahead of starting the task", or "in preparation for beginning work" depending on the context.

Is "before setting to work" formal or informal?

"Before setting to work" is generally considered neutral in tone. More formal alternatives exist, such as "prior to initiating work", while more informal options include "before getting down to business".

How does "before setting to work" differ from "after finishing work"?

"Before setting to work" indicates actions taken in preparation for beginning a task, while "after finishing work" refers to actions taken upon completion of a task. They are opposites in terms of the timeline of events.