set about working

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set about working" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the initiation of a task or project, indicating that someone is starting to work on something. Example: "After the meeting, she set about working on the new marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

And yesterday they set about working to strangle our renewed revolutionary vigour.

The Guardian - Opinion

With brass, synths and drums as their building blocks, Brasstracks set about working on more music.

The Guardian - Music

When the Quinns returned to Banbridge, they set about working on their dream.

The Guardian - Business

He set about working extremely hard to overcome the resistance of the British government and the suspicion of the Germans".

The Guardian

Inspired, he set about working his way round any society event he could come by, from corporate events to book launches.

Independent

After they'd had the idea they did a bit of market research and then set about working out their business plan.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Once he finally got past it, he set about work with a vengeance.

The New York Times - Arts

A man must be his own trumpeter — he must write or dictate paragraphs of praise in the newspapers... must hire artists in his turn to set about works to spread his name, make the mob stare and gape, and perpetuate his fame.

The New Yorker

Within a month I was lucky enough to hire a fabulous technician, Elizabeth Campbell Dwyer, and so we set about work.

Science Magazine

When he arrived in 1995 as a research fellow, he immediately set about doing theoretical work on biomembranes, following up on his work at UC Santa Barbara.

Science Magazine

From this, as with Khan Academy, it can begin to hone its adaptive algorithm and learn from the big data set about what works best and for whom.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set about working" to clearly indicate the start of an effort or task. It adds a sense of purpose and direction to your writing.

Common error

Ensure that the tense of "set about working" aligns with the rest of your sentence. Avoid mixing past, present, and future tenses inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set about working" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the commencement or initiation of a task or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show its usage in various contexts, suggesting a deliberate start.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set about working" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrasal verb that signifies the commencement of a task or project. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is prevalent in news and media, academia, and science, and it serves to indicate a deliberate and purposeful start. While "start working" and "begin working" are viable alternatives, "set about working" often carries a connotation of planned action. When writing, ensure consistent tense usage and leverage this phrase to add clarity and direction when describing the start of an activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start working

Direct synonym focusing on the commencement of work.

begin working

Similar to "start working" but slightly more formal.

commence working

A more formal and emphatic way to say "start working".

get to work

Emphasizes the transition to a working state.

start the work

Focuses on beginning a specific task.

undertake the task

Highlights acceptance and initiation of a task.

embark on the project

Suitable when referring to a larger, more involved endeavor.

get down to business

More idiomatic, implying a serious start to work.

turn to the job

Implies shifting focus and attention to the work.

apply oneself to working

Indicates dedicated effort and focus on the work.

FAQs

How to use "set about working" in a sentence?

You can use "set about working" to indicate the start of an activity. For example, "After the meeting, they "set about working" on the project plan".

What can I say instead of "set about working"?

You can use alternatives like "start working", "begin working", or "get to work" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "set about working" and "started working"?

"Set about working" implies a deliberate and purposeful commencement of work, while "started working" is a more general term for beginning to work. "Set about working" suggests a planned approach more so than just "started working".

Is "set about working on" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The preposition "on" is often used to specify the task or project one is setting about to work on. For example, "They "set about working on" the new marketing campaign".