was not set

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not set" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not established, configured, or determined in a particular context. Example: "The timer was not set, so the alarm did not go off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

A date was not set.

The New York Times

That mechanism was not set off yesterday, Mr. Sullivan said.

The New York Times

It was not set off by quotation marks.

The New Yorker

However, a date for Temple's departure was not set.

The New York Times - Sports

She was not set aside from adult social life.

The New Yorker

This was not set up to be a dialogue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

But in comments Monday he appeared to back away from the deadline, saying the target was "not set in a concrete schedule".

Vice

CNN listed sections of Clarke's thesis alongside source material with virtually verbatim language that was not set off by quotes, as required by school guidelines.

Huffington Post

Tip #1 The game was not set up for you or your success.

Science Magazine

A trial date was not set.

BBC

West German society long frowned on combining motherhood and work and its social infrastructure was not set up for it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was not set" to clearly indicate that something was not established or arranged, providing context to explain why it wasn't and what the implications are.

Common error

Avoid using "was not set" in overly complex passive constructions where an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of saying "The meeting schedule was not set by the team," consider saying "The team did not set the meeting schedule."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not set" typically functions as part of a passive verb construction, indicating that a subject did not perform the action of setting something. It's used to convey that something was not established, arranged, or determined. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

25%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was not set" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English to indicate that something was not established, arranged, or determined. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase appears most often in News & Media and Scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communications. Related phrases such as "had not been established" or "remained undetermined" can offer alternative ways to express the same meaning. When using this phrase, ensure it's clear why something "was not set" and avoid using it in overly complex passive constructions. Being mindful of these points helps ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had not been established

Replaces "was not set" with a more formal tone, emphasizing the lack of establishment.

was not scheduled

Indicates a lack of a planned time or date.

had not been arranged

Focuses on the lack of arrangement or organization.

was not defined

Emphasizes the absence of a clear definition or specification.

remained undetermined

Highlights the lack of a final decision or conclusion.

was left unresolved

Emphasizes that an issue or matter was not settled.

was not implemented

Focuses on the failure to put a plan or system into effect.

did not materialize

Suggests that something expected did not happen or become real.

was not designated

Highlights the absence of official assignment or naming.

was not initiated

Emphasizes a lack of commencement or beginning of something.

FAQs

How can I use "was not set" in a sentence?

You can use "was not set" to indicate that something was not established, arranged, or determined. For example, "The date for the conference was not set."

What can I say instead of "was not set"?

You can use alternatives like "had not been established", "remained undetermined", or "was not scheduled" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was not set" or "were not set"?

"Was not set" is used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns, while "were not set" is used with plural nouns. For example, "The deadline was not set," but "The terms were not set."

What's the difference between "was not set" and "has not been set"?

"Was not set" refers to a past action or state, while "has not been set" refers to a present state resulting from a past action. For example, "The price was not set yesterday," versus "The price has not been set yet."