to set free

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to set free" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of liberating someone or something from confinement or control. Example: "The organization worked tirelessly to set free the animals that were held in captivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Jack Straw's decision to set free Ronnie Biggs is a victory for common sense certainly.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You can use the drum to control," he said, stretching out into his metaphor, "or to set free".

The New York Times - Arts

They seek to intimidate America into panic and retreat, and to set free nations against each other.

The New York Times

The new laws have certainly removed a large number of criminals from the streets; but each year California has to set free some 100,000 people like K32096.

The Economist

This should be an easy call for a law-and-order governor who has, nevertheless, displayed a willingness to set free individuals convicted of far more serious crimes.

The New York Times

He pledged to get France back to work, to scrap exorbitant public-sector privileges, to cut taxes and to set free a strangled labour market.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Some slaves, like "Aunt Fannie", who belonged to Dennis Pennington, refused to be set free.

Wikipedia

She's sentenced to life without parole, never to be set free.

The New Yorker

Although the slaves continued to die over the next month, most recovered to be set free.

Wikipedia

He ordered the ship to be burnt and the Spanish crew to be set free.

Wikipedia

Right, they're ready to be set free now.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to set free", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being liberated and from what. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the impact of your writing.

Common error

While "to set free" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "liberate" or "release" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to set free" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to express purpose or intention. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing the act of liberating someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to set free" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose, commonly used to describe the act of liberating someone or something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and sees frequent usage in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and opt for more formal alternatives like "liberate" or "release" in academic settings. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to liberate

Implies freeing someone or something from oppression or captivity, often in a more formal or political context.

to release

Suggests letting go or allowing something to be free from confinement or restraint.

to emancipate

Specifically refers to freeing someone from legal, social, or political restrictions; often used in historical contexts like slavery.

to give freedom to

Emphasizes the act of granting freedom to someone or something.

to unleash

Implies releasing a powerful force or energy that was previously restrained.

to let loose

Suggests allowing something to move or act freely, often implying a lack of control.

to allow to roam freely

Focuses on the freedom of movement and lack of restrictions.

to unchain

Visually suggests removing physical restraints or limitations.

to unshackle

Similar to 'unchain', emphasizing the removal of restraints.

to discharge

Refers to officially releasing someone from a duty, obligation, or confinement.

FAQs

How can I use "to set free" in a sentence?

You can use "to set free" to describe the act of liberating someone or something from captivity, oppression, or restraint. For example, "The activists worked tirelessly "to set free" political prisoners."

What are some alternatives to "to set free"?

Alternatives to "to set free" include "to liberate", "to release", or "to emancipate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "to set free" formal or informal?

"To set free" is generally considered neutral in formality. While appropriate for many contexts, more formal alternatives like "to liberate" might be preferable in academic or professional writing.

What is the difference between "to set free" and "to release"?

While both terms imply liberation, "to release" often suggests a more straightforward act of letting go, while "to set free" can imply a deliberate act of liberation from a restrictive situation. For example, "The zookeeper decided "to release" the bird back into the forest" versus "The court ordered "to set free" the wrongly convicted man".