set things up

USAGE SUMMARY

"set things up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the process of organizing or preparing for something. For example: Let's set things up for the party tomorrow.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

We set things up and rely more on the system.

The New York Times - Sports

'We hope to set things up as quickly as possible.

The Guardian

They are trying to set things up for military action around Afghanistan".

The New York Times

It's not going to set things up in a completely different way".

The New York Times

Mr. Strain hopes to set things up as completely as possible for next year's CAM staff.

The New York Times

"Technology is cheap and if you set things up right, computers can do most of the work".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Do as much research as possible, and set thing up right the first time around.

WikiHow

It was this knack--for setting things up and starting new things--that Weigel particularly noticed in his postdoc.

Science Magazine

"It sets things up for the other big deals".

The New York Times

Sometime during the night, a crew must have come in and started setting things up for tomorrow.

The New Yorker

"People are very enthusiastic about setting things up but often similar work is already being carried out," she explains.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set things up", consider the level of formality required by your audience. While generally acceptable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "establish the framework" or "arrange the logistics".

Common error

While "set things up" is versatile, avoid relying on it excessively in formal documents. Opt for more precise verbs that better reflect the specific action being performed, such as "configure", "establish", or "implement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set things up" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of preparing, arranging, or organizing something. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it's used in a variety of contexts to describe making necessary arrangements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science & Research

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set things up" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of preparing or arranging something. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used. While it appears frequently in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "establish the framework" in professional settings. By understanding its usage and potential alternatives, you can effectively communicate your intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrange things

Focuses on the act of putting things in a specific order or position.

prepare the groundwork

Emphasizes laying the foundation for future actions or events.

organize the logistics

Highlights the planning and coordination of complex details.

make arrangements

Focuses on the act of planning and preparing for something.

establish the framework

Stresses the creation of a basic structure or system.

get ready

Implies a general preparation for an event or activity.

lay the foundation

Emphasizes the creation of a base or starting point.

pave the way

Suggests clearing obstacles or making something easier to achieve.

build the infrastructure

Focuses on creating the underlying systems and facilities.

get everything in order

Highlights the process of tidying and organizing all necessary components.

FAQs

What does "set things up" mean?

"Set things up" generally means to arrange, prepare, or organize something for a specific purpose or event.

How can I use "set things up" in a sentence?

You can use "set things up" in sentences like, "Let's "set things up" for the presentation tomorrow" or "They "set things up" the new software on my computer".

What are some alternatives to "set things up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "arrange things", "prepare the groundwork", or "organize the logistics".

Is "set things up" formal or informal?

"Set things up" is generally considered neutral to informal. For more formal contexts, consider alternatives like "establish the framework".