set off soon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set off soon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone will leave or depart shortly. Example: "We need to pack our bags quickly because we plan to set off soon for our road trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

With the new law, he said, he would set off soon for Santa Fe, N.M., until summer, then to Oregon.

The New York Times

I must set off soon for my return journey.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Robert Zoellick, the deputy Secretary of State, is setting off soon for his fourth trip to Darfur.

The New York Times

I haven't met the traffickers myself, but the agency says we will set off very soon.

BBC

We set off.

The New Yorker

Then we set off.

The New York Times - Travel

The boat set off.

The New Yorker

Eventually, we set off.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We chose the last — an old Suburban with a 26-year-old laid-back driver, Jesus Manuel Perez-Nortega, who set off on what soon became a twisting, single-lane dirt road.

The New York Times - Travel

They were married in December 1948 and soon set off for London.

The Guardian - Music

We set off toward Washington Square Park, and soon I was approaching people right and left.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set off soon" when you want to convey a sense of imminent departure or the beginning of a journey. It's a slightly more formal alternative to simply saying "leave soon".

Common error

While "set off" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "leave" or "go" might be more appropriate depending on your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set off soon" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a journey or activity in the near future. It combines the phrasal verb "set off" (to begin a journey) with the adverb "soon" (indicating proximity in time). As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set off soon" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an imminent departure or the beginning of a journey, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While relatively infrequent in overall usage, the phrase finds its primary context in news and media, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal register. When writing, remember to consider the context; while acceptable, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very casual situations. Alternatives include "depart shortly", "leave immediately", and "begin the trip soon".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depart shortly

Focuses on the action of leaving, emphasizing the brief time until departure.

leave immediately

Emphasizes the lack of delay in starting the journey.

start the journey shortly

Highlights the commencement of a trip with a minor adjustment in structure.

begin the trip soon

Similar to starting the journey but uses "trip" instead of "journey".

be leaving presently

A more formal way of saying "set off soon", indicating an imminent departure.

head out shortly

Informal, emphasizes leaving a place.

get going soon

Informal, highlights the need to start moving or acting.

take off shortly

Suggests a quick or sudden departure.

make a start soon

Emphasizes the beginning of an activity or journey.

be on our way shortly

Specifies that multiple people are departing.

FAQs

What does "set off soon" mean?

The phrase "set off soon" means to start a journey or trip in the near future. It implies an imminent departure or beginning.

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

You can use alternatives like "depart shortly", "leave immediately", or "begin the trip soon" depending on the context.

Is "set off soon" formal or informal?

"Set off soon" is neither overly formal nor extremely informal; it occupies a neutral to slightly formal register, suitable for news articles, travel writing, and general communication.

How do I use "set off soon" in a sentence?

You can use "set off soon" in sentences like: "We need to pack our bags quickly because we plan to set off soon", or "They will set off soon after the meeting concludes".