was set to start

USAGE SUMMARY

"was set to start" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when something was planned to begin at a certain time or date in the past, but for some reason it did not. Example: The conference was set to start at 9am, but due to a power outage it had to be delayed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Carbon trade was set to start in California in 2012.

The New York Times - Science

A trial was set to start yesterday, officials said.

The New York Times

He was set to start serving a two-year sentence on Jan . 8

The New York Times

A trial was set to start on 6 June next year.

The Guardian

Earlier, the German newspaper Bild had reported that Ballack was set to start.

The Guardian - Sport

In 1969 the musical was set to start rehearsals for a Broadway opening in the spring of 1970.

The New York Times - Arts

But the night before she was set to start high school, four weeks in, the demonre-emerged.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mardy Collins was set to start at point guard, having recovered from a foot injury he sustained Tuesday.

The New York Times - Sports

Just as "Turn Ben Stein On" was set to start shooting last September, Mr. Stein's father died.

The New York Times - Arts

A nurses' union and Virtua Memorial Hospital Burlington County averted a strike that was set to start today.

The New York Times

A date was set to start a trial that could potentially unseat Gov. Christine Gregoire, a Democrat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was set to start," ensure that the context clearly indicates whether the planned start actually occurred. If the event was delayed or cancelled, this should be explicitly stated for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "was set to start" without clarifying whether the event or action actually began as planned. If the start was delayed, cancelled, or altered in any way, provide additional information to avoid misleading the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was set to start" functions as a past modal construction indicating a planned or scheduled beginning that may or may not have actually occurred. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was set to start" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe events that were planned or scheduled to begin in the past. According to Ludwig, it is widely used in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it effectively conveys a sense of prior expectation or arrangement. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies whether the event actually commenced as planned to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "was scheduled to begin" or "was slated to commence" can be used for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was scheduled to begin

Replaces "set to start" with "scheduled to begin", emphasizing a formal arrangement.

was slated to commence

Uses "slated to commence" instead of "set to start", conveying a more formal and predetermined arrangement.

was due to initiate

Substitutes "set to start" with "due to initiate", highlighting an expected commencement.

was programmed to launch

Replaces "set to start" with "programmed to launch", implying a planned and organized beginning.

was on the verge of starting

Changes from a planned start to being "on the verge of starting", indicating an imminent beginning.

was about to get underway

Uses the idiom "about to get underway" instead of "set to start", conveying an impending beginning.

had been arranged to begin

Emphasizes the arrangement aspect, replacing "set to start" with "had been arranged to begin".

had been planned to commence

Highlights the planning aspect, substituting "set to start" with "had been planned to commence".

was intending to start

Shifts from a set plan to an intention, replacing "set to start" with "was intending to start".

was going to initiate

Uses "going to initiate" instead of "set to start", implying a future action that was planned.

FAQs

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

Use "was set to start" to describe something that was scheduled or planned to begin at a specific time. For example, "The meeting "was set to start" at 9 AM, but it was delayed due to technical issues."

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

"Was set to start" implies a more formal or definite arrangement than "was going to start". "Was going to start" suggests a general intention, while "was set to start" indicates a scheduled commencement.

What are some alternatives to "was set to start"?

Alternatives include "was scheduled to begin", "was slated to commence", or "was due to initiate" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "is set to start" is grammatically correct, but it refers to a future event, whereas "was set to start" refers to an event that was planned for the past. For example: "The program is set to start next week."