set the plan in motion

USAGE SUMMARY

"set the plan in motion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to the act of beginning to put a plan into action. For example, "When the CEO announced the restructuring plan, the team was eager to set the plan in motion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The deal "gives us the guidance we need" to set the plan in motion, a United executive said yesterday.

The New York Times

Several county and city officials interviewed by The Huffington Post weren't so sure the plan would make sense under local regulations, but said they would be open to set the plan in motion if that happened to be the will of Boulder's citizens.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Savaric then attempted to secure more control over other monasteries in his diocese, but died before he could set the plans in motion.

Wikipedia

"Everybody is taking the weekend to think about all this," Mr. Gaspin said, adding that he was personally responsible for setting the plan in motion, though he acknowledged discussing this and other options with the chief executive of NBC Universal, Jeff Zucker.

The New York Times

When Swezey finished the trip and showed up back in LA, he immediately started setting the plan in motion.

Vice

Joseph Goebbels, who had been with Hitler at Bad Wiessee, set the final phase of the plan in motion.

Wikipedia

According to an insider who insisted on anonymity to avoid, as he put it, getting "Snowdenized," the president assembled the Joint Chiefs of Staff together in the War Room last March to set the geoengineering plan in motion.

Huffington Post

He flew to Berlin to try to stop the planned deportation of Danish Jews, failed to do so, then flew to Stockholm and Copenhagen to set the rescue plan in motion.

The Guardian - Books

Sit down next to your date -- as close as you feel comfortable with -- so you can set the snuggle plan in motion.

WikiHow

Instead, when Peter enters the device, he witnesses a future where the parallel universe was destroyed and the prime universe on verge of the same collapse, and finds that Walter would set a plan in motion to send the Device back into the far past via a wormhole (creating the First People myth), and having it trigger this memory when Peter uses it.

Wikipedia

A week later, on August 22, 1791, the northern maroons set their plan in motion and killed all whites whom they encountered, setting fire to many of the plantations on the island.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "set the plan in motion" when you want to emphasize the start of a deliberate and organized effort. It suggests a well-thought-out strategy is now being actively pursued.

Common error

Avoid using the past perfect tense unnecessarily. "Had set the plan in motion" is only appropriate if you're describing an action that occurred before another action in the past. Otherwise, "set the plan in motion" or "is setting the plan in motion" are more direct and often clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set the plan in motion" functions as a verbal phrase that signifies the commencement of a previously conceived strategy or course of action. Ludwig examples demonstrate this phrase in various contexts, indicating its flexibility and wide applicability. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "set the plan in motion" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the initiation of a planned activity. As indicated by Ludwig, it is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from news reports to informal discussions. Usage patterns show it's most frequently found in "news & media". To enhance clarity in your writing, be mindful of tense consistency. For greater effect, consider alternative phrases like "initiate the plan" or "put the plan into action", always choosing the variant that best suits the specific meaning and tone of your context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put the plan into action

This alternative stresses translating a plan into concrete steps.

initiate the plan

This alternative is more concise and direct, focusing on the act of beginning the plan.

get the plan underway

This alternative is emphasizes the beginning phase or the initial stages of a plan.

commence the plan

This alternative is more formal and indicates an official start.

begin the implementation of the plan

This alternative emphasizes the practical execution aspect of the plan.

launch the plan

This alternative evokes a sense of deliberate introduction of something new.

set the wheels in motion for the plan

This alternative highlights initiating a series of actions that will lead to the plan's progression.

activate the plan

This alternative emphasizes the immediate or sudden start of the plan.

start the ball rolling on the plan

This alternative is more informal and idiomatic, suggesting a less structured beginning.

kick off the plan

This alternative is less formal, suggesting an energetic start.

FAQs

How can I use "set the plan in motion" in a sentence?

You can use "set the plan in motion" to describe the beginning of an organized effort. For example, "Once we received approval, we "set the plan in motion" immediately".

What are some alternatives to "set the plan in motion"?

Alternatives include "initiate the plan", "begin the implementation of the plan", or "put the plan into action", each with slight differences in emphasis.

Is it better to say "set the plan in motion" or "put the plan into effect"?

"Set the plan in motion" emphasizes the start of a process, while "put the plan into effect" suggests making the plan operational. The best choice depends on whether you want to focus on the initiation or the implementation.

What's the difference between "set the plan in motion" and "setting the plan in motion"?

"Set the plan in motion" is a past tense or imperative form, while "setting the plan in motion" is a continuous or progressive form. The former describes a completed action, and the latter describes an ongoing action.