was set to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was set to" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe the plans or expectations for something that will happen in the future: The company was set to launch its new product next month.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their lawyer was set to speak.

Independent

The case was set to be dismissed.

The New York Times

Bartering was set to resume Wednesday.

The New York Times

The trial was set to begin Jan . 30

The New York Times

The TV was set to video input.

Cornell University

substrate bias was set to − 100 V.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The significance level was set to 0.05.

Nature

EES frequency was set to 40Hz.

Nature

Fragmentor voltage was set to 365.0 V.

Nature

Minimum read length was set to 32.

Nature

Dynamic exclusion was set to 60 seconds.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was set to" to clearly indicate planned or expected future events, especially when emphasizing the preparatory stages or arrangements already in place.

Common error

Avoid using "was set to" for events that occur spontaneously or without prior planning. This phrase implies intention and prearrangement, making it unsuitable for describing unexpected occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was set to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a planned or expected future event from a past perspective. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use across various contexts to describe arrangements or intentions that existed at a specific point in time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was set to" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate planned or expected future events from a past perspective. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. It's frequently found in News & Media and Science. When using "was set to", remember that it implies a firm plan or arrangement made in the past for something to occur later. Alternatives like "was scheduled to" or "was planned to" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. While versatile, it should not be used for unplanned or spontaneous events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was scheduled to

Indicates a pre-arranged time or plan for an event, emphasizing timing rather than just intention.

was planned to

Highlights the planning stage of an event, focusing on the preparatory actions taken.

was intended to

Emphasizes the purpose or aim behind an action, focusing on the desired outcome.

was going to

Indicates a less formal and sometimes less certain intention or plan.

was supposed to

Implies an obligation or expectation, which might not always be fulfilled.

was on track to

Suggests progress towards a goal, highlighting momentum and advancement.

was about to

Conveys immediacy, suggesting the event was very close to occurring.

was designed to

Focuses on the purpose or function for which something was created or arranged.

was arranged to

Emphasizes the organizational aspect, showing that preparations were made.

was expected to

Indicates a general anticipation or forecast, often based on past performance or common knowledge.

FAQs

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

Use "was set to" to indicate that something was planned or expected to happen in the future, such as, "The meeting "was set to" begin at 9 AM."

What are some alternatives to "was set to"?

Alternatives include "was scheduled to", "was planned to", or "was going to", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is set to" instead of "was set to"?

The choice between "is set to" and "was set to" depends on the time frame. "Is set to" indicates a future event from the present perspective, while "was set to" refers to a future event from a past perspective.

What's the difference between "was set to" and "was supposed to"?

"Was set to" implies a firm plan or arrangement, while "was supposed to" suggests an obligation or expectation that might not necessarily be fulfilled. For example, "The project "was set to" launch" implies a confirmed plan, whereas "The project "was supposed to" launch" suggests it was expected but might not have happened.