setting things up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "setting things up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the process of organizing and preparing for something. For example, "We spent the day setting things up for the showcase event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

It was this knack--for setting things up and starting new things--that Weigel particularly noticed in his postdoc.

Science Magazine

(For instance, network names with spaces won't pass through when you're setting things up on the Quick Settings pages, though I've read you can manually type in the full name to complete it). Also, it only supports passwords with numbers and letters, so using special characters won't work, which might be an issue for those who are high-security conscious.

HuffPost

Sometime during the night, a crew must have come in and started setting things up for tomorrow.

The New Yorker

"People are very enthusiastic about setting things up but often similar work is already being carried out," she explains.

Independent

"Once you start saying, 'Yes, I want this,' then you're setting things up for yourself that get in the way.

The New York Times

Dao-Yi's good at setting things up and he's an amazing creative writer, good at getting his point across.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Here's how you set things up.

The New York Times

And you want to set things up.

Yale University

You could certainly set things up that way.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Come a bit early to set things up.

Harvard University

"It sets things up for the other big deals".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a complex process, use "setting things up" to introduce the initial steps required for the process to function correctly. This helps the reader understand the foundational elements before moving on to more advanced stages.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "setting things up" excessively in formal writing where more precise terms like "establishing", "preparing", or "arranging" might be more appropriate to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "setting things up" is as a phrasal verb. This involves the action of preparing or arranging something for a specific purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and frequently used in English. Examples from Ludwig show its application in contexts ranging from event preparation to strategic planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "setting things up" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of preparing or arranging something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it also appears frequently in Academic and Scientific writing. While generally neutral, it leans towards the informal side, suggesting more precise terms might be preferable in highly formal settings. The phrase serves the purpose of highlighting preparatory actions needed for a smooth operation or event, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication. The usage examples provided by Ludwig offer a broad overview of how this phrase is employed in real-world scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arranging things

Focuses on the act of putting things in a specific order or position.

preparing things

Emphasizes the act of making something ready for use or a specific purpose.

organizing things

Highlights the systematic arrangement of items.

getting things ready

A more informal way to express preparing for an event or task.

laying the groundwork

Focuses on establishing a foundation for future actions or developments.

making preparations

Emphasizes the act of preparing, often for a significant event.

putting things in place

Highlights the action of arranging items in their correct or intended positions.

establishing the setup

Focuses on the act of creating an initial arrangement or configuration.

devising a plan

Emphasizes the creation of a strategic approach or method.

formulating a strategy

Highlights the development of a detailed plan to achieve a specific goal.

FAQs

How can I use "setting things up" in a sentence?

You can use "setting things up" to describe the act of preparing or arranging something. For example: "We are currently "setting things up" for the presentation."

What are some alternatives to "setting things up"?

Alternatives include "arranging things", "preparing things", or "organizing things", depending on the specific context.

Is "setting things up" formal or informal?

"Setting things up" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. More formal alternatives exist for professional or academic contexts, such as "establishing the framework".

What's the difference between "setting things up" and "getting things ready"?

While similar, "setting things up" often implies a more structured or technical preparation, while "getting things ready" is a more general phrase. You might say you're "setting things up" for a conference, but "getting things ready" for a party.