set a record

USAGE SUMMARY

"set a record" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or a group achieving a high level of success in a particular area or task. For example, "The Olympians set a record for most world records broken in a single event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And then set a record.

The New York Times - Sports

At the time, it set a record.

The New York Times

April set a record for rainfall.

The New Yorker

Every price set a record.

The New York Times

"We could easily set a record.

The New York Times

Will They Set a Record in November?

The New York Times

He has already set a record.

The New York Times

His administration, meanwhile, has set a record in prosecuting leakers.

The New York Times

The quarterly performance set a record for Microsoft.

The New York Times - Tech

Gold set a record high as traders sought havens.

The New York Times

He is just looking to set a record.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set a record", ensure that you specify what record was set and in what context for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "set a record" without specifying the category or field in which the record was achieved, as this can lead to ambiguity. Always provide necessary details for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set a record" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of achieving a new highest level or best performance in a specific field. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

23%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "set a record" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote the achievement of a new high or benchmark, as verified by Ludwig. It commonly appears in contexts ranging from news and media to academic and business environments. Its communicative purpose is to highlight exceptional accomplishments. While its formality is neutral, ensuring contextual clarity by specifying the record and field is crucial. Furthermore, Ludwig provides several alternative phrases and highlights that "set a record" is a common and well-understood idiom for emphasizing success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a new benchmark

This phrase emphasizes the creation of a new standard for comparison.

reach a new high

This alternative focuses on attaining a higher level or value.

break the previous best

This alternative highlights surpassing a prior achievement.

achieve a milestone

This phrase refers to reaching a significant point in progress or development.

top the charts

This alternative is more specific to rankings or lists where achieving the highest position is the goal.

outdo all others

This phrase emphasizes exceeding the performance or accomplishments of others.

pave new ground

This alternative emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of the achievement.

leave the competition behind

This alternative illustrates dominating a competitive field.

rewrite the history books

This phrase emphasizes the historical significance of setting a new standard.

attain unprecedented levels

This alternative underlines the unparalleled aspect of the accomplishment.

FAQs

How can I use "set a record" in a sentence?

You can use "set a record" to describe an achievement that surpasses previous results. For example, "The athlete "set a record" in the 100-meter dash."

What are some synonyms for "set a record"?

Alternatives to "set a record" include "establish a new benchmark", "reach a new high", or "break the previous best".

Is it grammatically correct to say "set a record"?

Yes, "set a record" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English.

What's the difference between ""set a record"" and "break a record"?

"Set a record" implies establishing a new standard where none existed before, while "break a record" means surpassing an existing one.