is set to play

USAGE SUMMARY

"is set to play" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate a scheduled or planned future action, often in contexts like events, performances, or roles. Example: "The actor is set to play the lead role in the upcoming film." Alternative expressions include "is scheduled to play" and "is poised to play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

British actor Julian Ovenden is set to play Barrie.

The Guardian

Nicole Kidman is set to play Lyra's nemesis, Mrs Coulter.

The Guardian - Film

Excitingly, Mary J Blige is set to play Simone.

The Guardian

Edney, a senior, is set to play quarterback next fall at Dean College in Massachusetts.

The New York Times - Sports

Gareth Bale has reported fit from Real Madrid and is set to play the full match.

The Guardian - Sport

My Dad Says," who is set to play the follicularly deficient Curly Howard.

The New York Times

He is set to play for the United States in the World Cup in June.

The New York Times

Sam Querrey is set to play the final singles match against Viktor Troicki.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, striker Shola Ameobi is set to play his final game for Bolton tonight.

Independent

Yourhighness Morgan The regal linebacker is set to play college football for Florida Atlantic University.

The Guardian - Sport

Hart added: Walter is set to play Sister Ursula when the series returns next year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase after the subject to indicate a planned future action that has already been decided by an external authority (like a director or coach).

Common error

Do not use "is set to play" if the action is merely a possibility or a personal wish. It should be reserved for scenarios where a plan or schedule is firmly established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is set to play" functions as a complex verb string combining the copula "to be", the adjective/past participle "set", and a to-infinitive. According to Ludwig, this structure is primarily used to indicate a future action that is the result of a previous arrangement or official decision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "is set to play" is a robust and highly effective phrase for announcing confirmed future actions, particularly in entertainment and sports journalism. Ludwig analysis shows a high concentration of this phrase in authoritative media outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it serves to bridge the gap between current news and future events. Whether you are discussing a movie role or a football lineup, this phrase conveys a level of certainty and official planning that simple future tenses might lack. It is grammatically sound, widely accepted, and a versatile tool for any professional writer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is slated to play

Often used in North American English to denote a fixed schedule or arrangement

is scheduled to play

More literal and focuses on the specific timing of the event

is lined up to play

An idiomatic alternative common in British journalism for casting or team rosters

is poised to play

Suggests that the person is ready and in a position to begin shortly

is due to play

Implies an expectation or a deadline-driven schedule

is expected to play

Adds a layer of probability or public anticipation rather than a confirmed fact

will play

A direct future tense that lacks the nuance of an official arrangement

is going to play

More informal and common in spoken English

is preparing to play

Emphasizes the action of getting ready rather than the schedule itself

is about to play

Indicates the action will happen in the immediate future

FAQs

How do I use "is set to play" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a confirmed future role or match, such as "The actor "is set to play" the lead in the new biopic."

What can I say instead of "is set to play"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms like "<a href="/s/is+slated+to+play" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is slated to play" or "<a href="/s/is+lined+up+to+play" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is lined up to play".

Which is more formal, "is set to play" or "is scheduled to play"?

While both are correct, "<a href="/s/is+scheduled+to+play" target="_blank" rel="alternative">is scheduled to play" is slightly more formal and precise regarding time, whereas "is set to play" is the standard journalistic choice for casting news.

When should I use "is set to play" in sports?

It is perfect for discussing a player's return from injury or their inclusion in a specific match, for example, "Gareth Bale "is set to play" the full match."