set a record for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set a record for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to achieving a new high or best performance in a specific category or activity. Example: "The athlete set a record for the fastest marathon time in history."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

April set a record for rainfall.

The New Yorker

The quarterly performance set a record for Microsoft.

The New York Times - Tech

But it could also set a record for depth.

The New York Times

District 8 has not set a record for budget battles.

The New York Times

It set a record for a white diamond.

The Guardian

During the summer of 2012, the Arctic ice would set a record for melting, while the ships would set a record for cargo taken through the route.

The New Yorker

The S.& P. 500 set a record for the second consecutive day.

The New York Times

The sale set a record for a Sahara at auction, $142,500.

The New York Times

In fact, we may set a record for the wettest June.

The New York Times

In his 1920 Belmont, Man o' War set a record for the fastest mile ever run.

The New York Times

Smith's 147.7 passer rating set a record for a rookie quarterback on "Monday Night Football".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "shatter", "smash", or "obliterate" instead of "set" when the record broken is particularly significant.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses with "set a record for". For example, do not say "He is setting a record for" when the record has already been established. Use "He set a record for" or "He has set a record for" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set a record for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of establishing a new high or best performance in a specific category or activity. Ludwig examples show this phrase being used to describe various achievements, from sports records to financial milestones.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "set a record for" is a versatile and widely used expression for highlighting new achievements across various domains. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage make it a reliable choice for writers. The analysis shows that this phrase is most commonly used in news and media, Wiki, and formal business contexts. For enhanced writing, ensure clarity in specifying the category where the record is established and avoid incorrect tense usage. For variety, consider alternatives such as "establish a record in" or "break the record for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish a record in

Replaces "set" with "establish" and slightly rephrases "for".

break the record for

Indicates surpassing an existing record rather than just setting a new one.

set a new benchmark for

Highlights that the new record now serves as a standard.

achieve a new high in

Focuses on achieving a high level rather than specifically breaking a record.

raise the bar for

Indicates setting a higher standard that others must now try to meet.

establish a milestone in

Suggests achieving a significant accomplishment.

reach a peak of

Suggests attaining the highest point in a specific category.

pioneer a new level of

Implies being the first to reach a specific milestone, establishing an achievement in a innovative way.

top the charts in

Specifically used in contexts where rankings or charts are involved.

outperform all others in

Emphasizes surpassing competitors rather than just achieving a new record.

FAQs

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

You can use "set a record for" to describe achieving a new high or best performance in a specific category. For example, "The company "set a record for" quarterly profits".

What can I say instead of "set a record for"?

You can use alternatives like "establish a record in", "break the record for", or "achieve a new high in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "setting a record for"?

Yes, "setting a record for" is correct when describing the act of establishing a new record, for example, "The athlete is "setting a record for" the fastest time".

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

"Set a record for" generally means establishing a new record, whereas "break a record for" implies surpassing an existing record. Both indicate achieving a new high, but "break" specifies exceeding a previous one.