set off by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set off by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is distinguished or highlighted by a particular element or feature. Example: "The garden was beautifully set off by the vibrant flowers that surrounded it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is set off by smooth notes of acacia honey.

The New York Times - Food

The svelte daughter is set off by her frumpy mother.

The New Yorker

She told me his aggression was set off by fear.

The New York Times

His hair was set off by a faint silver streak.

The New Yorker

It was not set off by quotation marks.

The New Yorker

But it was set off by a bureaucratic oversight.

Independent

This unlikely scandal was set off by an unlikely crusader.

The New York Times

Greens are nicely set off by browns; lavender by chartreuse.

The New Yorker

The trails were from flares set off by children.

The Guardian

Ceiling sprinklers were set off by the gunfire.

The New Yorker

But no apparent tensions were set off by Mr. Clark's sharp, commanding performance here.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set off by" to describe an event, ensure the cause is clearly linked to the effect in your sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "set off by" when the relationship between the cause and effect is weak or indirect; instead, opt for phrases that indicate a weaker connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set off by" functions as a causal connector, indicating that something was initiated or caused by a particular event or condition. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

14%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "set off by" is a commonly used and grammatically sound causal connector, indicating that something was initiated or caused by a particular event. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is applicable across diverse contexts, notably news, science and general explanations. When using "set off by", ensure a clear cause-and-effect relationship is established for effective communication. Alternatives such as "caused by" or ""triggered by"" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triggered by

Focuses on the action that starts something, emphasizing the initiating event.

caused by

Emphasizes the direct causation, highlighting the relationship between cause and effect.

initiated by

Highlights the start of a process or event due to a specific factor.

prompted by

Indicates a stimulus that encourages or motivates a particular action or event.

sparked by

Suggests a sudden burst or start, often implying a quick or intense reaction.

brought about by

Emphasizes the result of an action, focusing on how something was made to happen.

accentuated by

Highlights how a feature is emphasized or made more noticeable by another element.

underlined by

Emphasizes the importance or significance of something due to another factor.

distinguished by

Focuses on how something stands out or is recognized because of a particular characteristic.

highlighted by

Indicates that something is made more noticeable or prominent due to another element.

FAQs

How to use "set off by" in a sentence?

Use "set off by" to indicate a cause-and-effect relationship, such as, "The alarm was "triggered by" the smoke."

What can I say instead of "set off by"?

Alternatives include "caused by", "prompted by", or "sparked by", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "set off by" or "set off with"?

"Set off by" indicates causation, while "set off with" means to start a journey or activity with something. Their meanings are quite different.

What's the difference between "set off by" and "influenced by"?

"Set off by" implies a direct cause-and-effect, whereas "influenced by" suggests a more subtle impact or shaping effect.