setting off

USAGE SUMMARY

"setting off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the action of leaving a place or a starting a journey. For example, "We are setting off early tomorrow morning for our trip".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Now, he's just setting off alarms.

The New Yorker

The gunman fled, setting off a manhunt.

The New York Times

Foreign money fled, setting off deep recessions.

The Economist

Setting off again there was more cacophony.

The Guardian - Sport

Wholesale prices were rising in 1936, setting off inflation fears.

The New York Times

Moving away from him, setting off on their own.

The New Yorker

Some townspeople were setting off fireworks, which agitated the dogs.

The New Yorker

Economic growth would accelerate until it overheated, setting off inflation.

The New York Times

"How about Starbucks?" said Rahman, setting off with me again.

The Guardian

Setting off this alarm is Mum's latest activity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One of them slewed sideways, setting off a chain reaction.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "setting off" to describe a journey, ensure it's followed by a clear destination or purpose. For example: "We are "setting off" for the mountains early tomorrow."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "setting off". It's generally "setting off for" a destination or "setting off on" a journey, not "setting off to" or "setting off at."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "setting off" is that of a phrasal verb acting as a present participle. It describes an action in progress, indicating the commencement of a journey, activity, or process. Ludwig confirms this correct and usable function through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "setting off" functions as a present participle of a phrasal verb, denoting the act of beginning a journey or activity. It is grammatically correct and very common across a range of contexts, particularly in news and media, as confirmed by Ludwig. When using "setting off", remember to follow it with the correct preposition, "for" a destination or "on" a journey. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its usage, making it a reliable resource for understanding and employing this versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heading out

A casual way of saying someone is leaving a place.

departing

Focuses on the act of leaving a place to begin a journey.

starting out

Implies a fresh start or the initial phase of an activity or journey.

getting underway

Indicates the process of starting something, often used in project management or logistical contexts.

embarking on

Suggests a more formal or significant beginning, often implying a challenging journey.

kicking off

An informal term for starting something, often used in sports or project contexts.

launching

Suggests a deliberate and forceful start, often used for new products or initiatives.

commencing

A formal synonym for beginning, often used in official or business contexts.

initiating

Emphasizes the act of starting a process or project.

taking flight

Evokes a sense of freedom and movement, implying the start of a journey, literally or figuratively.

FAQs

How can I use "setting off" in a sentence?

"Setting off" is often used to describe the beginning of a journey or activity. For example, "They are "setting off" on their adventure tomorrow morning."

What are some alternatives to "setting off"?

You can use alternatives such as "embarking on", "starting out", or "departing" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "setting off to" instead of "setting off for"?

While "setting off" implies movement, the correct preposition to use for a destination is "for". Therefore, say "setting off for" rather than "setting off to".

What's the difference between "setting off" and "taking off"?

"Setting off" generally refers to the start of any journey or activity, while "taking off" often specifically implies air travel or a quick departure.