on and off set

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on and off set" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a confusion of "on and off" and "on set," which are separate phrases. Example: "The actor was on set for the filming, but he was on and off during the breaks."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The cast were ushered on and off set to a very complex – and at times frustrating – timetable.

The Guardian - Music

In rat middle cerebral artery the contractions induced by ergotamine and dihydroergotamine (DHE) were typically slow in on and off set (about 30 60 min) [43].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The software also lets you assign a favorite PUSH4 number, toggle auto answer on and off, set the headset's sleep mode, assign one of 12 different ring tones, and adjust the earpiece volume.

TechCrunch

We spent the whole time together, on and off set.

Independent

Instead, she put great energy into supporting her actors on and off set.

The Guardian - Film

His gregarious manner and impish behaviour made time on and off set more pleasurable for everyone.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The guy is hilarious on set and off set.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There was little separation between cast and crew, between on set and off set; the process of shooting the show appeared to be an essential component of the show itself.

The New Yorker

The typically taciturn actor, appearing with "Silver Linings Playbook" co-star Bradley Cooper and director David O. Russell, sat back as the other two men discussed the bipolar and mood disorders that challenged them both on set and off set.

Huffington Post

The plastic changes occur mainly by reprogramming the cell by turning on and off sets of relevant genes.

Biological Reviews

He's awesome on set and awesome off set.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing activities related to film production, use precise language such as "during filming" and "outside of filming" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Avoid combining "on and off" with "set" as this is not standard usage.

Common error

Avoid constructing phrases that combine the prepositions "on and off" directly with "set" without proper context. Instead, clarify the timing or location. Instead of "on and off set", specify "during filming and outside of filming" or similar constructions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on and off set" attempts to describe actions or states that occur both during and outside of a film or television production. While the individual components are valid, their combination is considered grammatically questionable according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "on and off set" aims to convey activities happening both during and outside of a film production, it's flagged by Ludwig as not being standard in written English. The phrase appears in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. For clarity and grammatical precision, it's recommended to use alternative phrasing like "during filming and outside of filming", "both on location and otherwise", or other similar constructions. Prioritizing explicit language enhances understanding and avoids potential ambiguity. The phrase "on and off set" is not correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during and after filming

Replaces "on and off set" with a more explicit reference to the filming process

both on location and otherwise

Emphasizes the contrast between being at the filming location and being elsewhere

within and outside the studio

Highlights the studio environment as the central point of reference

during production and in downtime

Contrasts the active production phase with periods of rest or inactivity

in the studio and elsewhere

Simple alternative that indicates activities are taking place in the studio or not

during shoots and breaks

Specifically refers to shooting periods and the intervals between them

while filming and during off-time

Highlights the contrast between active filming and time away from it

at the filming location and in personal time

Contrasts the formal set environment with individual personal time

during filming and leisure time

Emphasizes the difference between active work and leisure activities

at work and at rest during filming

Focuses on the dichotomy between labor and rest associated with the filming process

FAQs

How can I describe activities happening both during and outside of filming?

Use clearer phrases such as "during filming and outside of filming", "while on location and in personal time", or "during production and in downtime" to accurately convey when the activities occurred.

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "on and off set"?

Consider using "during filming" and "after filming", "during production" and "in downtime", or "both on location" and "otherwise" for improved clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is it correct to say "on and off set" when referring to a film production?

While "on set" is a common term, combining it with "on and off" can lead to ambiguity. It's preferable to use more explicit phrasing to clearly indicate the timing or location of the activities being described. Examples include "during filming and outside of filming".

How do I properly use "on set" and "off set" in separate contexts?

"On set" refers to the time when filming is actively taking place, whereas "off set" indicates periods when filming is not occurring. To combine these ideas, consider saying "activities both "on set" and "off set"" or rephrasing to use constructions like "during filming and during breaks".