in sets of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in sets of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to grouping items or elements together in specific quantities or arrangements. Example: "The books were organized in sets of five on the shelf."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They were grouped in sets of two.

The New Yorker

More personalities manifested themselves — each time in sets of three.

The Washington Post

There is a protocol, firing bullets in sets of three.

The New York Times

The diagnoses result in sets of STS practices.

Journal of Engineering and Technology Management

Instead of doing pushups in sets of 20, he did sets of 25.

The New York Times - Sports

They made us count down for them so that they could race, in sets of two.

The New Yorker

Slowly, he draws attention to your breath, which you count in sets of ten.

The New Yorker

Coasters, in sets of four, are $10 for vinyl, $20 for linen.

The New York Times

The money was to be made more in sets of prints than in individual sheets.

The Guardian - Arts

The glasses, in sets of two for $29.90, are sold at Bloomingdale's and by culinaryoutfitters.com.

The New York Times - Food

The tableware is priced as open stock, with plates sold in sets of four; $12.99.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in sets of", ensure the quantity is clearly defined and relevant to the context. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity. For example, specify "in sets of three" rather than just "in sets".

Common error

Avoid using "in sets of" without specifying the number, which can cause confusion. Instead of saying "arrange the items in sets", specify "arrange the items in sets of four" to provide precise instructions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in sets of" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating how elements are grouped or arranged. Ludwig examples show this across various contexts. It specifies a structured organization, clarifying the quantity within each group, as also stated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in sets of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to denote grouping items in specific quantities. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields, including News & Media, Science, Academia, Encyclopedias, and Wiki sources. When writing, clarity is key: always specify the quantity (e.g., "in sets of three"). Alternatives such as "in groups of" or "arranged in" can be suitable depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis. The prevalence and consistent usage supported by examples available on Ludwig underscores its importance in clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in groups of

Focuses on the general concept of grouping, lacking the specific implication of predetermined quantities.

arranged in batches of

Highlights the organized arrangement of items, implying a sequential or purposeful order.

organized into clusters of

Emphasizes the formation of closely packed groupings or aggregates.

divided into portions of

Suggests a partitioning or apportionment of a whole into separate, quantifiable parts.

categorized by multiples of

Signifies the classification based on consistent quantitative units or factors.

bundled in collections of

Implies gathering similar items together for convenience or sale.

presented in units of

Focuses on displaying or offering items as singular, complete entities.

supplied in packs of

Refers to providing items pre-packaged in specific quantities, usually for retail.

sorted in lots of

Indicates arranging items into distinct, often somewhat random, groupings.

structured in tiers of

Implies a hierarchical organization of items with defined levels or layers.

FAQs

How can I use "in sets of" in a sentence?

You can use "in sets of" to describe how items are grouped together. For example, "The chairs were arranged "in sets of four"" or "The data was analyzed "in sets of ten"".

What are some alternatives to saying "in sets of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in groups of", "arranged in", or "divided into", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "in sets of" and "in groups of"?

While similar, "in sets of" often implies a more structured or predetermined arrangement, whereas "in groups of" can be more general and less formal.

When is it best to use "in sets of" over other similar phrases?

Use "in sets of" when you want to emphasize that items are intentionally and consistently grouped in specific quantities. This is especially useful when describing instructions, specifications, or experimental designs.