set about starting

USAGE SUMMARY

"set about starting" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating the initiation of a task or project. Example: "They set about starting the new project as soon as they received the approval." Alternative expressions include "began to start" and "set out to begin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

How do you set about starting your research for your stories?

The Guardian

The hosts had looked to score their runs quickly as opener Elyse Villani set about starting her Test career in style.

Independent

In 1949 Row married his high school sweetheart Barbara O'Neill and set about starting a family and building a career in his lifelong love of business.

The New York Times

While Conran set about starting up a new design consultancy, Fitch stayed with the merged business, bought out the Conran Design Group in 1972 and renamed it Fitch & Company.

The Guardian - Arts

In Europe and North America, young couples set about starting new families.

Duke University

That's been the case since the company was founded in 1987 in Ravenna, a historic center of the mosaic world, and set about starting a renaissance.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

As a starting point, she set about investigating what the firms were looking for.

Science Magazine

"When I couldn't find any manufacturers to produce any prototypes, I set about to start up a company".

The New York Times - Travel

After being buried for 4,000 years, he awakens to a world that has developed hubris, so he sets about on a mission to start from scratch and build what he considers a cleaner, purer world.

Los Angeles Times

"But the most important thing as we set about at the start of the season was try and get to the Premiership.

BBC

With the help of a reprogrammed female Terminator called Cameron (named for the franchise's creator James Cameron, and played by Summer Glau, Firefly's hippy-dippy assassin), they time-jump forward to 2007, and set about investigating AI start-ups and tech firms in search of early traces of Skynet.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set about starting" when you want to emphasize both the intention and the action of beginning something. It's particularly effective when the task requires some effort or planning.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "set about starting" can sound overly formal or verbose in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "start" or "begin" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set about starting" functions as a compound verb phrase indicating the initiation of an action with a sense of purpose or intent. The examples in Ludwig showcase how it's used to describe individuals or groups commencing a task or project. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set about starting" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes the intentional commencement of an action or project. While it's not overly common, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts. When choosing alternatives, consider the desired level of formality, with options like "begin initiating" offering a simpler alternative. When writing, remember that while correct, it can sound too formal in very casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin initiating

Replaces "set about" with a single word of a similar meaning, simplifying the phrase.

commence initiating

Offers a more formal alternative to "begin", maintaining the meaning of beginning.

start initiating

Replaces "set about" with the common verb "start", focusing on the act of beginning.

embark on initiating

Implies a more significant or adventurous undertaking compared to a simple start.

undertake to initiate

Highlights a formal commitment to begin something.

get down to initiating

Suggests a practical and focused start to a task.

proceed to initiate

Indicates a sequential start, following a previous step.

move to initiate

Similar to "proceed", but can also suggest a change in direction.

take steps to initiate

Emphasizes the planning and preparation involved in starting.

set out to initiate

Highlights the intention or purpose behind starting.

FAQs

How can I use "set about starting" in a sentence?

You can use "set about starting" to describe the beginning of a task or project, as in "They "set about starting" the new project after the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "set about starting"?

Alternatives include "begin initiating", "commence initiating", or simply "start initiating", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "set about starting" formal or informal?

"Set about starting" leans towards the formal side, though it's acceptable in many contexts. For very casual settings, simpler options might be better.

What's the difference between "set about starting" and "start"?

"Set about starting" implies a more deliberate and planned beginning, whereas "start" is a more general term for initiating something.