he was all set

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was all set" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is fully prepared or ready for a particular situation or task. Example: "After packing his bags and checking his itinerary, he was all set for his trip to Europe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

He was all set a have you die in the bunkhouse.

The New Yorker

EU heirs and graces Tony Blair He was all set to become president of Europe.

The Guardian

He was all set for a contented, as well as a hugely successful, life.

The Guardian - Sport

After graduating from Harvard in 1965, he was all set to become a diplomat.

The Guardian

"Let 'er go", said the old gentleman, waving his lighted cigar to show he was all set.

The New Yorker

The Democratic candidate for governor, Andrew M. Cuomo, said he was all set to welcome trick-or-treaters on Sunday night, despite his high profile.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"I'm all set".

The New York Times - Magazine

He is all set to splurge.

The Guardian - Film

"It's not an ideal scenario but he's all set for this stage.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps – just perhaps – this v-log (sorry) is designed to convince doubters that he's all set to accomplish both.

The Guardian - Film

He is all set to help a Greek sailor get rid of some wool cloth by selling it to an Italian.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "he was all set" to clearly convey that someone has completed their preparations and is ready for an upcoming event or task. It's a concise way to indicate readiness.

Common error

While "he was all set" is widely understood, it's less appropriate for formal or academic writing. In such contexts, opt for more formal alternatives like "he was prepared" or "he was ready".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was all set" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating a state of readiness or preparedness. As Ludwig AI shows, it describes the subject's condition concerning a future event or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he was all set" is a common phrase used to express that someone is completely ready or prepared for something. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media contexts. While versatile, it is generally considered neutral and may be less suited for formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "he was prepared" might be more appropriate. Remember to use it when you want to convey a clear sense of readiness and completion, and consider your audience to optimize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was ready

Direct synonym, focuses on the state of being prepared.

he was prepared

Similar to 'ready', but often implies a more thorough preparation.

he was set to

Highlights that is ready to start doing something. Almost like intention.

he was good to go

Informal, indicates readiness to start or proceed.

he was equipped

Emphasizes having the necessary tools or resources.

he was all geared up

Emphasizes the process of getting ready, often with excitement.

he was in a position to

Highlights the capability and readiness to perform an action.

he was poised

Suggests readiness with a sense of balance or control.

he had everything in place

Focuses on the arrangement and organization of necessary elements.

he was fully briefed

Implies that the necessary information has been provided.

FAQs

How can I use "he was all set" in a sentence?

You can use "he was all set" to indicate that someone is completely ready or prepared for something. For example, "After packing his bags, he was all set for his vacation".

What are some alternatives to "he was all set"?

Alternatives include "he was ready", "he was prepared", or "he was good to go", depending on the context.

Is "he was all set" formal or informal?

"He was all set" leans towards the informal side. In more formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "he was prepared" or "he was ready".

When is it appropriate to use "he was all set"?

It's appropriate to use "he was all set" in conversational or informal writing when you want to convey that someone is fully prepared and ready for an event or activity. Avoid in formal writing.