set aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set aside" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean to reserve or set something aside for a particular purpose or to set something aside in order to consider it separately from other things. For example: "The court set aside the guilty verdict and ordered a retrial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Set aside.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set aside" to mean 'invalidate', ensure the context clearly indicates a formal or legal setting. For example, "The judge set aside the previous ruling."

Common error

Avoid using "set aside" interchangeably with phrases like "put aside" when the intention is merely to postpone something temporarily. "Set aside" often implies a more permanent removal or reservation.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "set aside" functions primarily as a verb indicating the action of reserving something for a specific purpose or invalidating a previous decision. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in both contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "set aside" can be used to mean either to reserve something for a specific purpose or to invalidate or reject something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its usage is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media. While understandable in most contexts, it's more appropriate for formal or professional settings when referring to invalidation or reservation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reserve

Focuses specifically on reserving something for future use.

allocate

Implies a more formal distribution or assignment of something.

put by

Similar to saving, but can also mean to postpone.

shelve

Means to postpone or put aside, often with the implication it may not be revisited.

nullify

Emphasizes making something legally void or ineffective.

invalidate

Similar to nullify, but can apply more broadly to arguments or claims.

overrule

Specifically refers to rejecting a previous decision or ruling.

reject

A general term for refusing to accept something.

dismiss

To reject something as not worthy of consideration.

discard

To get rid of something because it is no longer useful or wanted.

FAQs

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

You can use "set aside" to mean to reserve something for a specific purpose, as in "They "set aside" funds for the project". It can also mean to reject or overrule, such as "The court "set aside" the verdict".

What is the difference between "set aside" and "put aside"?

"Set aside" often implies a more formal or permanent action of reserving or rejecting, while "put aside" generally means to temporarily postpone or save for later.

What can I say instead of "set aside" when I mean 'reserve'?

Alternatives to "set aside" for 'reserve' include "allocate", "reserve", or "earmark" depending on the context.

Can "set aside" be used in informal contexts?

While "set aside" can be used in informal contexts, it's more commonly found in formal or legal settings when it means to reject or invalidate something. For reserving something informally, phrases like "put aside" or "save" might be more appropriate.