set off for home

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'set off for home' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when one is leaving a place to go back to their own home. For example, "After a long day at the beach, we decided to set off for home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Then the Pequeños set off for home.

The New York Times

His audience has already packed up and set off for home.

The Guardian - Books

The cool, winy air rushed at my face as I hefted a little wooden keg onto my shoulder and set off for home.

The New Yorker

At midnight, Ros and Dorothy slipped out and set off for home, although everyone else had prudently decided to spend the night at the schoolhouse.

The New Yorker

Their mission accomplished despite some "bumps in the road," the space shuttle Atlantis and its crew left the International Space Station today and set off for home.

The New York Times

He set off for home straight after a meeting with West African leaders who gave their own approval for the deal.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The Forester pays his bill and sets off for home.

The Guardian - Music

Another day, the girl's mother is to visit and when she doesn't arrive, the girl sets off for home without telling anyone.

The New Yorker

But setting off for home, Dladla was convinced he had experienced the sharp end of a contradiction involving two of the world's leading givers.

The Guardian

Breathlessly happy, the couple sets off for home at nightfall, back across the lake, when their boat is hit by a storm.

The New Yorker

Once Gift has calmed, the family sets off for home with blue vaccination cards that show the children have received the measles rubella vaccine.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set off for home" to vividly describe the beginning of a journey back to one's residence, especially after an event or activity.

Common error

Avoid using other prepositions like "to" or omitting the preposition entirely. "Set off home" or "set off to home" are grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set off for home" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the commencement of a journey towards one's residence. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct. The examples illustrate its use in diverse narrative contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set off for home" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of beginning a journey back to one's residence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific sources. While simpler alternatives like "leave for home" exist, "set off for home" provides a vivid depiction of commencing the homeward journey. Remember to use the preposition "for" to maintain grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave for home

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the action of going home.

start out for home

Similar to "set off" but uses "start out" instead.

head back home

Emphasizes the direction and destination of the journey.

depart for home

Replaces "set off" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of leaving.

make a start for home

Highlights the initial step in the journey back.

start the journey home

Focuses on the commencement of the return trip.

turn homeward

A slightly more literary or poetic way to express heading home.

begin the trek home

Implies a long or arduous journey.

commence the homeward journey

A more formal and elaborate way to describe the start of the trip home.

make way home

Suggests clearing a path or overcoming obstacles to reach home.

FAQs

How can I use "set off for home" in a sentence?

Use "set off for home" to describe the act of beginning a journey back to your residence. For example, "After the concert, we "set off for home"".

What's a simpler way to say "set off for home"?

Alternatives include "leave for home" or "head back home", both conveying the same meaning in a less formal way.

Is it correct to say "set off to home"?

No, the correct phrasing is "set off for home". The preposition "for" is essential to properly connect the verb phrase to the destination.

What's the difference between "set off for home" and "go home"?

"Set off for home" implies the beginning of a journey, whereas "go home" is a general statement about returning to one's residence. "Set off" emphasizes the departure.