setting out to get

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "setting out to get" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the intention or goal of pursuing something. Example: "She is setting out to get a promotion at work." Alternative expressions include "aiming to achieve" and "planning to obtain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"She told me she was setting out to get arrested".

The New Yorker

Shortly after setting out to get help he drowned.

The Economist

The work at Natanz is indistinguishable from what Iran would do if it was setting out to get 90%-enriched uranium for a bomb.

The Economist

It follows the same basic sideways-scrolling platform action as the Mario games, with Wario setting out to get back the castle that Mario took from him.

The Guardian - Tech

It is 1922, after all, and Millie's strange version of feminism entails setting out to get a job that offers a wealthy, unmarried boss whom she can marry and live with wealthily ever after.

The New York Times

Then she added a tribute to a women's pioneer in another sport: "If not for Billie Jean King setting out to get equal pay for women's tennis, we probably wouldn't have had the courage to do what we did today".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

However, scientists have set out to get round these problems.

The Guardian

"You never set out to get these milestones," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

The conferences set out to get these people talking.

The Guardian

Eager to conform, he set out to get to know the product.

The New Yorker

Today, we never did get what we set out to get".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "setting out to get" to clearly express an intention or goal-oriented action. It effectively communicates the initiation of an effort to acquire something specific.

Common error

Ensure that the objective following "setting out to get" is clearly defined. Vague objectives can make the sentence less impactful and leave the reader unsure of the intended goal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "setting out to get" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the initiation of an action aimed at achieving a specific objective. Ludwig's examples confirm its usage in various contexts to express intentionality and purpose.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "setting out to get" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to indicate the start of an action intended to achieve a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of the phrase. Its usage spans across various news and media contexts, maintaining a generally neutral tone. While alternatives exist to refine the nuance of your writing, "setting out to get" effectively conveys intention and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aiming to acquire

Focuses on the intention to acquire something specific.

intending to obtain

Emphasizes the planned nature of the acquisition.

seeking to gain

Highlights the effort involved in achieving a desired outcome.

working towards achieving

Suggests a process-oriented approach to reaching a goal.

endeavoring to secure

Implies a dedicated effort to make something safe or certain.

striving to attain

Highlights the continuous effort and ambition in achieving a goal.

pursuing to reach

Emphasizes the act of following a course to arrive at a specific endpoint.

making an effort to collect

Focuses on gathering or accumulating something through action.

taking steps to procure

Implies a methodical approach to obtaining something, often through formal means.

setting about to obtain

It is a more formal way of "setting out to get".

FAQs

How can I use "setting out to get" in a sentence?

You can use "setting out to get" to describe someone beginning an action with the intention of achieving a specific goal. For example: "She is "setting out to get" a new job".

What are some alternatives to "setting out to get"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "aiming to acquire", "intending to obtain", or "seeking to gain".

Is there a difference between "setting out to get" and "trying to get"?

"Setting out to get" implies a more deliberate and planned effort, while "trying to get" suggests a less certain or more experimental approach. The first highlights more the initial steps of the subject, the second points out the attempt of achieving the subject, no matter the initial step.

When is it appropriate to use "setting out to get" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "setting out to get" in both formal and informal writing when you want to clearly indicate the beginning of an endeavor with a specific objective in mind.