the plane set off

USAGE SUMMARY

'the plane set off' is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
For example: "The plane set off on its way to London just after sunrise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The plane set off from Abu Dhabi this morning and will head around the world before coming back to the Gulf in late July or August.

Independent

The plane set off but, an hour from landing, we were diverted to Brussels because Heathrow was then closed due to snow.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Since the disaster on July 25, investigators have focused on the possibility that a tire suffered a blowout and that debris from the tire damaged the plane, setting off the fire.

The New York Times

British safety investigators are examining whether a malfunction in an emergency locater transmitter, or any other equipment in the rear of the parked Ethiopian Airlines plane, set off or fueled the fire on Friday.

The New York Times

Burns takes Smithers and Homer in his old plane, setting off to find an island and start a new country.

Wikipedia

After a two-hour delay, another plane set off.

The New York Times

After a few frantic phone calls were made, pilots fired up the plane and set off for Cedar Rapids.

The New York Times

Until newspapers here published photos of the plane late last year, setting off the American outcry, company executives say they considered the contract old news.

The New York Times

Boeing's efforts to seek advance orders for the plane will also set off an intense new phase in its rivalry with Airbus, one determined more by how efficiently each company can produce the planes than their visions.

The New York Times

Knowing that he could not wear his favorite steel-toed boots on the plane because they set off metal detectors, he stowed them in his luggage, where they became a crushproof nest for the swan's-down puffs.

The New York Times - Style

The mass goose kill in Prospect Park -- the idea is to keep them from flying into the engines of jet planes -- set off outrage on City Room, where many comments railed against the killings, but others wondered: If we must kill them, why don't we feed them to the homeless?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the plane set off" to clearly indicate the commencement of a plane's journey. This phrase is suitable for both narrative and descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect tenses such as "the plane sets off" when describing a past event. Ensure the verb tense aligns with the timeline of your narrative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the plane set off" functions as a declarative statement indicating the commencement of a plane's journey. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage in context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the plane set off" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the beginning of a plane's journey. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's primarily found in news and media contexts. While less common than alternatives like "the plane took off", it serves as a clear and neutral way to narrate or inform about the start of an aircraft's travel. When writing, ensure the verb tense matches the narrative's timeline, and consider more formal alternatives like "the plane departed" for official contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the plane departed

Replaces "set off" with a more formal term indicating the beginning of a journey.

the aircraft took off

Focuses on the action of the plane leaving the ground, emphasizing the start of flight.

the plane commenced its journey

A more descriptive and formal way of saying the plane began its travel.

the flight began

Simplifies the phrase by focusing on the flight itself, rather than the plane.

the plane started its ascent

Highlights the initial upward movement of the plane during takeoff.

the plane left the airport

Emphasizes the plane's physical departure from the airport location.

the plane initiated its flight

Uses more technical language to describe the start of the plane's journey.

the aircraft was en route

Indicates the plane was already on its way, implying the journey had started.

the plane taxied and departed

Adds the action of taxiing before departure, giving more detail about the initial moments.

the plane was airborne

Highlights the state of being in the air after setting off.

FAQs

How can I use "the plane set off" in a sentence?

You can use "the plane set off" to describe the beginning of a plane's journey, such as, "The plane set off despite the stormy weather".

What is a more formal alternative to "the plane set off"?

A more formal alternative would be "the plane departed", which is suitable for official reports or announcements.

Is it correct to say "the plane sets off"?

No, "the plane sets off" is only correct in the present tense when describing a habitual action. For a single event in the past, use "the plane set off".

What is the difference between "the plane took off" and "the plane set off"?

"The plane took off" specifically refers to the action of the plane leaving the ground, while "the plane set off" can more broadly refer to the beginning of its journey, which may include taxiing.