set it aside

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set it aside" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something should be temporarily ignored or put on hold. Example: "I need to set it aside for now and focus on more urgent tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Note its placement and set it aside to dry.

WikiHow

We'll set it aside).

The New York Times

And yet set it aside they did.

The New Yorker

"He just sort of set it aside".

The New York Times - Arts

"I just got to set it aside".

The New York Times

An electoral commission of Mubarak-appointed judges set it aside.

The New York Times

Set it aside for a while.

Forbes

Set it aside!

Huffington Post

Jeremy set it aside.

Vice

You temporarily set it aside.

HuffPost

4. Set It Aside -- Temporarily.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set it aside" when you want to temporarily stop working on something or put something out of the way for later use. For example, "I'll set this draft aside and come back to it with fresh eyes tomorrow."

Common error

Avoid using "set it aside" when you intend to abandon something completely. The phrase implies a temporary removal, not a permanent discard. If you mean to discard, use phrases like "throw it away" or "abandon it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set it aside" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a separable phrasal verb. This means the 'it' can come between 'set' and 'aside'. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

44%

News & Media

33%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set it aside" is a versatile phrasal verb used to indicate the temporary removal or postponement of something, with the intention of returning to it later. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing frequently in Wiki and News & Media sources. While "set it aside" exhibits a neutral register and can be used across various contexts, avoid using it when you intend a permanent discard. Instead, consider alternatives like "put it on hold" or "defer it" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put it on hold

Indicates a pause in progress, often with the intention of resuming later.

shelve it temporarily

More formal, suggesting a deliberate postponement of a project or idea.

put it away

Implies storing something out of sight, differing from the temporary nature of setting something aside.

defer it

Formally postpone to a later time.

table it

Primarily used in parliamentary or formal settings to postpone discussion.

hold it back

Implies restraining something from being released or used immediately.

leave it be

Suggests not interfering with something, rather than temporarily removing it.

reserve it

Keep something for a specific purpose or time.

bank it

Save it for later use, often implying monetary value.

detach it

Physically separate it from something else.

FAQs

How to use "set it aside" in a sentence?

"Set it aside" is used to indicate that something is being temporarily put away or ignored. For example, "I'll "set it aside" for now and focus on more urgent tasks." or "She "set it aside" to cool before serving."

What can I say instead of "set it aside"?

You can use alternatives like "put it on hold", "defer it", or "table it" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "set it aside" or "set it apart"?

"Set it aside" means to temporarily remove or postpone, while "set it apart" means to distinguish it from others. They have different meanings and usages.

What's the difference between "set it aside" and "leave it alone"?

"Set it aside" implies a temporary removal or putting something away for later use, while "leave it alone" means to not touch or interact with something at all.