had set out

USAGE SUMMARY

'had set out' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as the past perfect tense to refer to something that happened before another event in the past. For example: They had set out early that morning, but had become lost in the forest by noon.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

did achieve what it had set out to do.

The Economist

I had written what I had set out to say.

The New Yorker

But one wished they had set out to do more.

The New York Times - Arts

Bloomberg and his administration had set out to do something about homelessness.

The New Yorker

It was a moment she had set out to document: daily life on a disappearing island.

The New York Times

The men had set out along the towpath to a nearby road.

The New Yorker

By February 1, 55 countries had registered, having largely reiterated positions they had set out earlier.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They had set out a seven-point framework for discussion on national unity.

The Economist

A No 10 source said that both leaders had set out "tough" stances.

Independent

Nixon had set out to expand the Republican vote; Bush wanted to keep it from contracting.

The New Yorker

Dr. Turyshev said he had set out in search of new physics.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing goals or intentions, use "had set out" to emphasize the initial plan or purpose, especially when contrasting it with the eventual outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "had set out" when a simple past tense ("set out") would suffice. The past perfect is necessary only when referring to an action completed before another point in the past. For example, instead of "He had set out yesterday", use "He set out yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had set out" primarily functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It describes an action that was completed before another action in the past. Ludwig provides many examples from reliable sources demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had set out" is a verb phrase in the past perfect tense used to describe an action that was completed before another point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, showing its common usage in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "had embarked on" or "had begun" exist, "had set out" is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal writing. To ensure clarity, remember to use the past perfect tense only when necessary to establish a sequence of past events. The phrase functions to indicate the start of a journey, task or endeavour and this is why is very helpful when describing goals or intentions. By avoiding tense confusion and understanding the context, you can effectively use "had set out" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had embarked on

Focuses on the beginning of a significant journey or project.

had begun

A more general term for starting something.

had started

Similar to "had begun" but implies a less formal start.

had initiated

Emphasizes the formal commencement of a process or project.

had commenced

A formal synonym for "had begun".

had taken off

Suggests a rapid or successful start, often used metaphorically.

had launched

Implies a public or official start.

had departed

Specifically refers to the beginning of a physical journey.

had headed out

Suggests a less formal departure or start.

had undertaken

Implies a commitment to a task or responsibility.

FAQs

How is "had set out" used in a sentence?

"Had set out" indicates an action that was completed before another action in the past. For example, "They "had set out" early, so they arrived before noon" shows the setting out preceded the arrival.

What are some alternatives to "had set out"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "had embarked on", "had begun", or "had started" as alternatives to "had set out".

Is "had set out" formal or informal?

"Had set out" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "had set out" and "set out"?

"Had set out" is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another action in the past, while "set out" is in the simple past tense, indicating a completed action. For example, "They "had set out" before dawn when I woke up" vs. "They set out at dawn".