setting off for work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "setting off for work" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of leaving home or a location to go to your workplace. Example: "I usually start my day by setting off for work around 8 AM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Every day before setting off for work, I give my three children a big hug.

Independent

FOR most people, checking the weather before setting off for work in the morning is simply a matter of switching on the radio or television, looking at a thermometer, or just sticking a nose out of the window.

The Economist

Ms Pilley, 38, disappeared in May 2010 after setting off for work in the centre of Edinburgh but never making it to her desk.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The narrow space outside can be a street or a train platform, as Gregor sets off for work each morning.

Independent

Ross set off for work at Deloitte, the financial advisory firm, and Vicky prepared for her daily exercise routine.

The Guardian

Clare and Mike said goodbye and set off for work at an unearthly hour the following morning.

The Guardian - Travel

Jusson arrived late, held back by the daily lecture from his mother as he set off for work.

The Guardian

And people who set off for work on a dazzling September morning and met with something unimaginably horrible.

The New York Times

With our busy lifestyles, how many of us really have a proper breakfast before we set off for work these days?

Independent

Every morning at 8am, four men with toolboxes set off for work, potter about a bit, and toddle off home again.

The Guardian - Sport

In 1981 he helped take Regional Atacama into Chile's First Division – but almost 29 years later he set off for work at the San José mine.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "setting off for work" to vividly describe the moment someone begins their journey to their workplace, emphasizing the start of their day or task.

Common error

While "setting off for work" is generally acceptable, be mindful of using it excessively in formal or business writing; consider more direct alternatives like "departing for work" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "setting off for work" functions as a prepositional phrase, describing the action of commencing a journey towards one's workplace. It often acts as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by indicating when or how something is done. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various sentences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "setting off for work" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, primarily used to describe the act of beginning one's journey to work. Ludwig confirms this, with examples predominantly found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it may be wise to consider more formal alternatives like "departing for work" in professional settings. When using the phrase, focus on vividly describing the beginning of the journey. Be mindful of overuse in formal contexts to maintain an appropriate tone. Several alternatives exist, such as "leaving for work" or "heading to work", each with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leaving for work

This alternative is more direct, focusing on the act of departure.

heading to work

This alternative emphasizes the direction and intention of going to work.

departing for work

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of leaving.

going to work

This is a simpler and more general way of expressing the action.

starting the commute

This alternative focuses on the beginning of the journey to work.

commencing the workday

This phrase is more formal and highlights the beginning of the work period.

making way to work

This option implies some difficulty in traveling to work.

off to the job

This option is more informal and colloquial.

on my way to work

This emphasizes the state of being en route to work.

traveling to work

This alternative highlights the journey involved in getting to work.

FAQs

What does "setting off for work" mean?

The phrase "setting off for work" means beginning your journey or departing from your home or another location to go to your workplace.

What can I say instead of "setting off for work"?

You can use alternatives like "leaving for work", "heading to work", or "departing for work", depending on the context.

Is "setting off for work" formal or informal?

"Setting off for work" is generally considered neutral in tone. However, in highly formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "departing for work".

How do I use "setting off for work" in a sentence?

You might say, "Every morning, before "setting off for work", I make sure to have a good breakfast." This illustrates a routine or habitual action of starting the journey to work.