set for good

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set for good" is not a standard expression in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be interpreted as being established permanently or for a long duration, but it is not commonly used in this way. Example: "After years of planning, the new policy is finally set for good, ensuring stability in our operations."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

By the end of the month, the field of candidates — which has been in flux for most of 2011 — is almost certain to be set for good.

The New York Times

Part comedy of manners, part chick lit in male drag, James Collins's "Beginner's Greek" is a great big sunny lemon chiffon pie of a novel, set, for good measure and our sociological titillation, among the WASP ruling classes, people who work at white-shoe investment firms and own villas in southwestern France and can instantly tell the difference between fine Bordeaux and plonk.

The New York Times - Books

The story is "set, for good measure and our sociological titillation, among the WASP ruling classes, people who work at white-shoe investment firms and own villas in southwestern France and can instantly tell the difference between fine Bordeaux and plonk," wrote James Kaplan in The New York Times Book Review.

The New York Times

We finally underline that five key parameters are used in Algorithm 2, and these need to be accurately set for good performance.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

For each data set, these training sets were comprised of a random set of subjects, except for the NKI2 data set, where the training set for "good" prognosis subjects (subjects who did not experience metastases within 5 years) were the 30 subjects who did not experience metastases and where the conservFlag variable was either +1 or -1 [ 9].

BMC Medical Genomics

Do NOT use warm or hot water - the stain will set for good, because the hot water will cook the blood protein into the fibers.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

However, fears over price hikes in beef and cheddar from Ireland may be misplaced as generous tariff-free quota levels reflecting current import levels are being set for goods that are in short supply in the domestic market.

The Guardian

Sept. 11 gave us its final spark, like the bright flash that the sun shoots up before it sets for good.

The New York Times

Sex workers are people, but just because we're deviating from the standard that society sets for good behaviour, it doesn't mean that we're bad.

Vice

Sex workers are people, but just because we're deviating from the standard that society sets for good behavior, it doesn't mean that we're bad.

Vice

What is the right skill set for building good data visualizations?

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes or systems that need accurate initial configurations, use "set for good" to highlight the importance of correct initial settings for optimal, lasting performance.

Common error

Avoid using "set for good" in formal writing where more precise or established alternatives like "permanently established" or "configured for optimal performance" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set for good" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of being permanently established or correctly configured for a lasting or positive outcome. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in contexts ranging from political campaigns to stain removal, showcasing its flexibility.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

43%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set for good" is a phrase used to describe something that is permanently established or correctly configured for a lasting positive effect. Ludwig AI indicates that while grammatically acceptable, it's less common in formal contexts, where alternatives like "established permanently" might be preferred. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media and Wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to informal register. When you consider "set for good", remember that clear is better than clever: use alternatives if they offer more clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destined for success

Emphasizes a predetermined positive outcome, focusing on achievement.

primed for success

Similar to destined, but with a stronger emphasis on the preparatory actions taken.

poised for a positive outcome

Conveys a sense of balance and readiness, suggesting imminence of the result.

prepared for a favorable future

Focuses on readiness for a positive future, highlighting anticipation and planning.

geared up for a positive result

Highlights preparation and anticipation of a favorable outcome, adding an element of readiness.

ready for a lasting impact

Shifts the focus to a permanent effect or influence, emphasizing long-term significance.

made ready for the long haul

Emphasizes endurance and preparedness for a sustained effort or period.

established permanently

Focuses on the lasting nature of the setup or establishment.

permanently arranged

Highlights the fixed arrangement of something, with less emphasis on the benefit.

fixed for eternity

Implies an unchangeable state that extends indefinitely, stronger than "for good".

FAQs

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

You can use "set for good" to describe something that is permanently established or correctly configured. For example, "Once the parameters are "set correctly", the system should function smoothly for good."

What are some alternatives to "set for good"?

Alternatives include "permanently established", "configured for optimal performance", or "fixed permanently", depending on the specific context.

Is "set for good" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "set for good" is less common than alternatives like "set permanently" or "established for good". Its acceptability depends on context and desired formality.

When is it appropriate to use "set for good" versus "established for good"?

"Set for good" implies configuration or preparation with a lasting effect, while "established for good" suggests a more formal and permanent institutionalization or arrangement.