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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
setting great
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "setting great" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe the act of establishing something significant or impressive, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "The team is setting great expectations for the upcoming project."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(1)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
8 human-written examples
Nato leaders are setting great store on the establishment of a non-sectarian, stable government in Baghdad.
News & Media
The West is setting great store by elections for the Serb Republic's parliament due in late November.
News & Media
The guys were setting great screens for me and when they do that you owe it to them to hit the shots".
News & Media
The American Indians mimicked nature's patterns, and by setting great fires they lured bison, which craved the newly burned grasses' tender shoots.
News & Media
Iraq's government is setting great store on provincial elections in the autumn, and Mr Maliki says he wants to disarm all the militias before they take place.In his onslaught on these armed groups, Mr Maliki, not so long ago widely dismissed as weak and sectarian, has won rare support from most of the main political parties across the spectrum Kurdish, Sunni and Shia.
News & Media
"I think vegan men are setting great examples to the world," Howell continues.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
52 human-written examples
This, of course, is the setup for two hours of Chase stapling himself to rain gutters and accidentally setting great-grandpa's toupee on fire.
News & Media
Setting Greater New Haven, Connecticut, United States, from March 1998 to June 2013.
Science
Together we have set great goals".
News & Media
"(The Thunder) set great screens and found a great rhythm".
News & Media
Cuba sets great store by its cultural prestige.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Instead of using "setting great", consider using phrases like "establishing significant goals" or "creating noteworthy examples" to convey your intended meaning with greater clarity and grammatical correctness.
Common error
Avoid using "great" directly after "setting" as it often leads to awkward phrasing. Instead, focus on the specific noun that is being modified (e.g., goals, examples, standards) and use appropriate adjectives to describe them (e.g., significant, ambitious, high).
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "setting great" functions as a verbal phrase where "setting" is a verb in its gerund form, and "great" acts as an adjective intending to modify an implied noun. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Science
25%
Formal & Business
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
5%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "setting great" is flagged by Ludwig as grammatically incorrect, suggesting it doesn't conform to standard English usage. While it appears in various sources, its intended meaning often revolves around establishing something significant. Instead of using this phrase, consider alternatives such as "establishing significant goals", "creating noteworthy examples", or "setting ambitious goals" for improved clarity and grammatical accuracy. These alternatives not only enhance the precision of your writing but also align with more widely accepted grammatical structures. The frequency of "setting great" is uncommon, as it's mostly found in the News & Media domain and to a lesser extent in Science.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
setting ambitious goals
Replaces "great" with "ambitious" to emphasize the challenging nature of the goals being set.
establishing significant goals
Focuses on the act of establishing rather than the manner of setting, highlighting the importance of the goals themselves.
creating significant examples
Shifts the focus to the act of creation, emphasizing the impact and importance of the examples being set.
setting a high standard
Indicates establishing a level of quality or achievement that is exemplary.
establishing noteworthy precedents
Uses 'noteworthy precedents' to convey the idea of creating impactful examples or standards.
achieving significant milestones
Emphasizes the accomplishment of important milestones rather than the setting of abstract goals.
laying a strong foundation
Highlights the creation of a solid base for future endeavors.
making a significant impact
Focuses on the resulting influence or effect rather than the initial setting of something.
building a remarkable legacy
Emphasizes the creation of a lasting and positive impact over time.
forging a path of excellence
Highlights the act of creating a standard of high quality and achievement.
FAQs
Is "setting great" grammatically correct?
No, "setting great" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use more precise language, like "setting high standards" or "achieving significant milestones".
What can I say instead of "setting great"?
You can use alternatives like "establishing significant goals", "creating significant examples", or "setting ambitious goals" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "setting great goals" or "setting ambitious goals"?
"Setting ambitious goals" is generally preferred over "setting great goals" because it's grammatically clearer and more commonly used. It also clearly conveys the intent of setting challenging goals.
How to avoid misusing the phrase "setting great"?
Focus on the specific aspect you want to emphasize. If you're referring to goals, use "setting high goals" or "establishing ambitious goals". If you're referring to examples, use "creating significant examples".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested