they set off for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they set off for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone is starting a journey or heading towards a specific destination. Example: "After packing their bags, they set off for the mountains early in the morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But before they set off for the Capitol, Stewart had a warning for them.

The Guardian

They set off for Frankie's 457 in Carroll Gardens to meet friends for dinner.

The New York Times

Separately, they set off for Tel Aviv, where Epstein was born and the narrator was conceived.

The New Yorker

They set off for Maqdisi's home, in a relatively poor neighbourhood 10 miles north of Amman.

The Guardian

Then, in typically quirky fashion, they set off for Russia to launch their new group.

The Guardian

After a final stop for provisions on South Georgia, they set off for Antarctica on December 5th.

The Economist

Two days after the R.S.C. actors arrived, they set off for the Frick Collection, on the Upper East Side.

The New Yorker

They set off for the hospital, but after a few miles Ashish died in Mr. Mishra's arms.

The New York Times

It mooed shortly after they set off for New York, and that was the end of that.

The New York Times

When they set off for America before the second world war, and didn't come back, their celebrity turned against them.

The Guardian - Books

As they set off for the demonstration, Luthuli recalled, "We were very, very scared because they threatened us".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they set off for" to clearly indicate the commencement of a journey or movement toward a specific location. This phrase is versatile and appropriate for various contexts, from formal writing to informal storytelling.

Common error

Avoid using overly formal or informal alternatives to "they set off for" when the context requires a neutral tone. For instance, while "they embarked on a journey to" might sound more sophisticated, it's less suitable for everyday news reporting than "they set off for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they set off for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of a journey or movement toward a specific destination. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Books

10%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they set off for" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe the commencement of a journey towards a destination. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, including news, literature, and everyday conversations. While alternatives like "they departed for" or "they headed towards" exist, "they set off for" provides a clear and versatile option. When writing, ensure that this phrase aligns with the context and tone, avoiding overly formal or informal substitutes when a neutral expression is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they departed for

Replaces "set off" with a more formal synonym, "departed".

they left for

A simpler and more direct way of saying they started their journey.

they headed towards

Uses "headed towards" to emphasize direction and movement.

they made their way to

Emphasizes the process of traveling and reaching a destination.

they started out for

Replaces "set off" with "started out", indicating the beginning of a journey.

they embarked on a journey to

More formal and emphasizes the adventurous aspect of the travel.

they began their trip to

Focuses on the start of a trip to a specific place.

they journeyed to

Uses a more literary and evocative verb, "journeyed", suggesting a significant trip.

they proceeded to

A formal way of stating that they continued or moved on to a place.

they advanced toward

Emphasizes forward movement and progress towards a destination.

FAQs

How can I use "they set off for" in a sentence?

You can use "they set off for" to describe the beginning of a journey or trip. For example, "After packing their bags, they set off for the mountains early in the morning" or "They set off for the airport to catch their flight".

What are some alternatives to "they set off for"?

You can use alternatives like "they departed for", "they headed towards", or "they left for" depending on the context.

Is "they set off to" grammatically correct instead of "they set off for"?

While "they set off to" might be used colloquially, "they set off for" is the grammatically preferred and more widely accepted form when indicating a destination. "They set off to" is more commonly used when followed by a verb, indicating a purpose.

What is the difference between "they set off for" and "they took off for"?

"They set off for" generally implies the beginning of a journey, while "they took off for" often suggests a more sudden or rapid departure. The level of formality is generally neutral.