set to vibrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set to vibrate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a device, such as a phone, that is configured to vibrate instead of making sound. Example: "Before the meeting starts, please make sure your phone is set to vibrate so it doesn't disturb anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Phone set to vibrate, check.

The New York Times

Cell phone set to vibrate ("so it doesn't ring and startle somebody"): check.

The New Yorker

It was set to vibrate so that he alone would know when he'd been summoned.

The New Yorker

The Cobra can also be set to vibrate like a pager, rather than ringing.

The New York Times - Tech

The device can be set to vibrate or sound when a predetermined low battery level is reached.

The New York Times - Tech

Even if the phone was set to vibrate, for instance, My Phone will force it to ring.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We symbolically shake, like larger versions of tiny cellphones set to the "vibrate" function, as we compulsively monitor a universe that never closes its eyes.

The New York Times

The alarm can be set to chime, vibrate, or both.

TechCrunch

The phone has some unique customization, including "smart actions" like one that allows it to be set to automatically switch to vibrate when you get home.

The New York Times

To break that down, of the 1 million actions executed, users changed WiFi and Bluetooth settings 300,000 times, 176,000 applications were launched, phones were set to silent or vibrate 150,000 times, 12,000 songs were played, 10,000 alarms were set, and mobile hotspots were set up 8,000 times.

TechCrunch

As for the others, quite a few appeared too busy multitasking to lift a hand: while listening to the doctor, they were tapping at handheld computers, scribbling on legal pads and collecting voice mail from their cellphones, which were set to the silent vibrate mode, so as not to aggravate anyone but themselves.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to silence their phone in a meeting, use "set to vibrate" followed by a reason: "Please set your phone to vibrate to avoid disturbing the presentation".

Common error

Avoid using "set to vibrate" when describing objects that naturally vibrate. Instead, use it specifically for devices with configurable vibration settings. For instance, it is not correct to say "The table was set to vibrate"; instead, describe the table as simply "vibrating".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set to vibrate" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of configuring a device to use vibration for alerts. It typically describes a user's action to change a device's settings, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Tech

28%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "set to vibrate" is a commonly used and grammatically sound way to describe configuring a device to vibrate for alerts. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts, from casual instructions to more technical descriptions. While alternatives exist, "set to vibrate" remains a clear and widely understood choice. When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to devices designed with vibration settings and consider the specific context to convey instructions effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enable vibration mode

Focuses on the action of enabling the vibration feature, rather than the configuration.

activate vibrate

A more concise way to say the same thing, using 'activate' as the verb.

switch to vibrate

Emphasizes the change from another mode (like ringing) to vibration.

put on vibrate mode

Uses a more informal verb ('put') to describe the action.

configure to vibrate

A more formal and technical way to describe setting the device.

turn on vibrate

Simple and direct instruction to activate the vibration.

select vibrate option

Highlights the selection of the vibration setting.

adjust to vibrate

Focuses on the adjustment of settings to the vibration mode.

program to vibrate

Implies a more complex or automated setup of the vibration feature.

establish vibration alert

Shifts the focus to setting up an alert that uses vibration.

FAQs

How can I use "set to vibrate" in a sentence?

You can use "set to vibrate" when you want to indicate that a device, like a phone, is configured to vibrate instead of making sound. For example, "Please "set your phone to vibrate" during the movie".

What are some alternatives to "set to vibrate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "enable vibration mode", "switch to vibrate", or "activate vibrate".

Is it correct to say "set on vibrate" instead of "set to vibrate"?

While "set on vibrate" might be understood, "set to vibrate" is the more grammatically correct and commonly used phrasing.

What's the difference between "set to silent" and "set to vibrate"?

"Set to silent" means the device will not make any noise, while "set to vibrate" means the device will vibrate to alert you without making a sound. One offers the benefit of haptic feedback.