{"id":8332,"date":"2026-08-15T00:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-15T00:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/phrasal-verbs-with-set\/"},"modified":"2026-08-15T00:05:00","modified_gmt":"2026-08-15T00:05:00","slug":"phrasal-verbs-with-set","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/fr\/phrasal-verbs-with-set\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Phrasal Verbs with SET | SET\u82f1\u6587\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e\u5b8c\u6574\u6307\u5357"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nQuick Answer:<\/strong> Phrasal verbs with SET are among the most common in everyday English. The most essential ones are set up<\/strong> (establish\/arrange \u2014 \u5efa\u7acb\/\u5b89\u6392), set off<\/strong> (depart\/trigger \u2014 \u51fa\u767c\/\u89f8\u767c), set back<\/strong> (delay\/cost \u2014 \u5ef6\u8aa4\/\u82b1\u8cbb), set aside<\/strong> (save\/disregard \u2014 \u9810\u7559\/\u64f1\u7f6e), and set out<\/strong> (begin\/intend \u2014 \u51fa\u767c\/\u6253\u7b97). This guide covers all 20 you actually need, grouped by theme so the patterns stick.\n<\/div>\n

Most English learners meet SET early \u2014 “set the table,” “the sun sets,” “set a record.” But the phrasal verb version of SET is a completely different animal. The verb pairs with at least a dozen different particles, and each combination carries a distinct meaning, often two or three. A Taiwanese student once told me she avoided SET phrasal verbs entirely because “every time I think I know one, it means something different in the next sentence.” That is not a bad observation \u2014 it is exactly why a structured list matters. Here are all 20 SET phrasal verbs you need, grouped by theme so the patterns become predictable.<\/p>\n

Why SET Phrasal Verbs Are Hard \u2014 and Why That Is Worth Knowing | \u70ba\u4ec0\u9ebcSET\u7247\u8a9e\u52d5\u8a5e\u9019\u9ebc\u96e3\u5b78<\/h2>\n

The problem with SET phrasal verbs is not that there are too many \u2014 it is that several carry radically different meanings depending on context. Set off<\/em> can mean “leave for a destination,” “trigger an alarm,” or “cause someone to laugh uncontrollably.” Native speakers switch between these meanings without thinking. The fix is not memorizing every definition \u2014 it is understanding what the particles (UP, OFF, OUT, BACK) do to a base verb<\/a>. Once you know that OFF often signals separation or triggering, and OUT often signals going somewhere or making something visible, the patterns become predictable across all verbs, not just SET.<\/p>\n

One grammar point worth noting upfront: many SET phrasal verbs are separable<\/strong>, meaning the object can go between SET and its particle. “Set the alarm off” and “set off the alarm” are both correct English. For inseparable phrasal verbs (like set about<\/em>), the object always follows the full phrasal verb. Each entry below notes which applies.<\/p>\n

\"set<\/p>\n

SET UP is the most-used SET phrasal verb in English business contexts \u2014 and it has three distinct meanings<\/em><\/p>\n

SET Phrasal Verbs for Starting and Moving | \u51fa\u767c\u8207\u958b\u59cb\u52d5\u4f5c<\/h2>\n

This group carries the core meaning of beginning \u2014 either a physical journey or an action in progress. They appear constantly in everyday speech, from travel plans to work meetings.<\/p>\n

1. Set off<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u52d5\u8eab\uff1b\u89f8\u767c\uff1b\u5f15\u8d77<\/em>
\nThe most common meaning is to begin a journey: “We set off at 6 AM to beat the traffic on National Freeway 1.” The second meaning is to trigger something \u2014 an alarm, a chain reaction, even laughter: “The smoke from the kitchen set off the fire alarm.” A third: something that sets off<\/em> a design or color makes it look more attractive by contrast. Three uses from one phrasal verb.<\/p>\n

2. Set out<\/strong> [Intransitive \/ Separable] \u2014 \u51fa\u767c\uff1b\u8457\u624b\uff1b\u64fa\u51fa<\/em>
\nSet out<\/em> is slightly more formal than set off<\/em>. It means to leave with a destination or purpose: “She set out for the conference center at 7 AM.” It also means to state or display clearly: “The report sets out the company’s three-year expansion plan.” Note the difference: set off<\/em> emphasizes the act of departing, while set out<\/em> often implies intention.<\/p>\n

3. Set forth<\/strong> [Intransitive \/ Separable] \u2014 \u51fa\u767c\uff08\u6b63\u5f0f\uff09\uff1b\u6b63\u5f0f\u63d0\u51fa<\/em>
\nFormal and slightly literary for travel (“He set forth on his journey north”), but alive in business and legal writing: “The contract sets forth the terms of payment and delivery.” You will see this far more in written English than in conversation \u2014 it sounds stiff in casual speech.<\/p>\n

4. Set about<\/strong> [Inseparable] \u2014 \u8457\u624b\u505a\uff1b\u958b\u59cb\u9032\u884c<\/em>
\nThis means to begin a task, often with determination: “As soon as the team arrived, they set about organizing the venue.” It always takes a gerund or noun object: “She set about cleaning the apartment immediately.” This one is inseparable \u2014 you cannot split it.<\/p>\n

5. Set to<\/strong> [Intransitive] \u2014 \u958b\u59cb\u52aa\u529b\u505a\uff1b\u958b\u59cb\u722d\u5435<\/em>
\nTwo distinct uses. First, to begin doing something energetically: “Once the music started, everyone set to dancing.” Second, to start arguing or fighting: “The two directors set to in the middle of the board meeting.” Context makes the difference clear.<\/p>\n

\"set<\/p>\n

When you set off on a trip, the focus is on the moment of departure<\/em><\/p>\n

SET Phrasal Verbs for Planning and Resources | \u8a08\u5283\u8207\u8cc7\u6e90\u7ba1\u7406<\/h2>\n

This group covers how we build, reserve, organize, and record. Heavy usage in business English \u2014 if you work in a Taiwanese office and read English documents, you will encounter all four regularly.<\/p>\n

6. Set up<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u5efa\u7acb\uff1b\u5b89\u6392\uff1b\u9677\u5bb3<\/em>
\nThe most-used SET phrasal verb in business English. “They set up the company in Hsinchu in 2019” (establish). “Can you set up a meeting for Thursday afternoon?” (arrange). Informally, it also means to frame an innocent person: “He did not steal the data \u2014 he was set up by a colleague.” Three distinct meanings, same two words.<\/p>\n

7. Set aside<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u9810\u7559\uff1b\u64f1\u7f6e\uff1b\u63a8\u7ffb<\/em>
\nIn time management: “Set aside two hours every morning for focused writing.” In conflict: “Let us set aside our disagreement and finish the project.” Legally, a court can set aside a verdict \u2014 meaning overturn it entirely. According to the Cambridge Dictionary<\/a>, all three uses are standard across British and American English.<\/p>\n

8. Set by<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u5132\u5b58\u5099\u7528\uff1b\u7559\u5b58<\/em>
\nMostly British English, this means to save something for the future: “She had set by enough savings to last six months without income.” Less common in American English, where set aside<\/em> does the same work. Worth knowing for reading UK business documents and literature.<\/p>\n

9. Set down<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u653e\u4e0b\uff1b\u8a18\u9304\uff1b\u5236\u5b9a<\/em>
\nThree overlapping uses. Physically: “Set down your phone and actually listen.” To record in writing: “Set down everything you remember about the conversation while it is still fresh.” To establish rules formally: “The regulator set down new requirements for data handling.” Common in formal writing and legal documents.<\/p>\n

\"set<\/p>\n

Setting aside dedicated time for important work is one of the most-used applications of this phrasal verb<\/em><\/p>\n

SET Phrasal Verbs About Delays and Disruptions | \u5ef6\u8aa4\u8207\u963b\u7919<\/h2>\n

10. Set back<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u5ef6\u8aa4\uff1b\u4f7f\u5012\u9000\uff1b\u82b1\u8cbb<\/em>
\nPossibly the most-used SET phrasal verb in news writing. “The typhoon set the project back by three weeks” \u2014 delayed it. As a compound noun: “That rejected proposal was a major setback.” In financial contexts: “The equipment upgrade set the company back NT$2 million.” The British Council<\/a> lists set back<\/em> as one of the ten most common phrasal verbs in business English.<\/p>\n

11. Set in<\/strong> [Intransitive] \u2014 \u958b\u59cb\uff08\u901a\u5e38\u6307\u4e0d\u597d\u7684\u4e8b\uff09\uff1b\u5230\u4f86<\/em>
\nAlmost always describes negative developments: “The cold weather has set in for the season.” “Panic set in when the power failed.” “Self-doubt set in after the third rejection.” You can technically use it for positive things, but it sounds ironic \u2014 “happiness has set in” works in satire more than in sincerity.<\/p>\n

12. Set on \/ Set upon<\/strong> [Separable \/ Inseparable] \u2014 \u653b\u64ca\uff1b\u547d\u4ee4\u53bb\u653b\u64ca<\/em>
\nTwo related meanings. To attack someone: “A group of protesters set upon the speaker before security arrived.” To direct an animal or person to attack: “He threatened to set his dog on the trespassers.” Set upon<\/em> sounds more literary; set on<\/em> is the everyday spoken version.<\/p>\n

\"set<\/p>\n

A setback does not have to end a project \u2014 it just changes the timeline<\/em><\/p>\n

SET Phrasal Verbs for Comparison and Opposition | \u5c0d\u6bd4\u8207\u5340\u5206<\/h2>\n

13. Set apart<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u4f7f\u7a81\u51fa\uff1b\u5340\u5225\uff1b\u5206\u958b<\/em>
\nWhat sets one thing apart from another is what makes it stand out: “Her ability to explain complex grammar in Mandarin sets her apart from other English teachers in Taiwan.” Can also be used literally for physical separation, but the figurative use dominates modern English.<\/p>\n

14. Set against<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u4f7f\u5c0d\u7acb\uff1b\u5c0d\u7167\uff1b\u6263\u9664<\/em>
\nThree uses. To create opposition: “His handling of the merger set the entire board against him.” To compare: “Set against last year’s numbers, this quarter looks strong.” In accounting, to offset: “These business expenses can be set against your tax liability.” Common in financial and legal contexts.<\/p>\n

15. Set straight<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u7cfe\u6b63\uff1b\u8aaa\u6e05\u695a<\/em>
\nTo correct someone’s mistaken belief: “Let me set you straight \u2014 she said 5 PM, not 5:30.” Direct but not aggressive \u2014 it is about clarification, not confrontation. Works well in professional settings when facts need correcting without a confrontation.<\/p>\n

\"set<\/p>\n

Winter has set in \u2014 a classic use of SET IN for the start of a season or unpleasant condition<\/em><\/p>\n

Five More SET Phrasal Verbs Worth Knowing | \u984d\u5916\u4e94\u500b\u9032\u968e\u7528\u6cd5<\/h2>\n

These five appear less often but show up regularly in books, news, and formal communication. Knowing them moves your English from functional to fluent.<\/p>\n

16. Set free<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u91cb\u653e\uff1b\u89e3\u653e<\/em>
\nLiteral: “The prisoners were set free after the verdict was overturned.” Figurative: “Finishing the thesis set her free to focus on creative projects for the first time in three years.”<\/p>\n

17. Set forward<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u63a8\u9032\uff1b\u5411\u524d\u8abf\u6574<\/em>
\nLess common but appears in formal writing: “The committee set forward a proposal for review in March.” Also used for clocks: “We set the clocks forward in spring.” The opposite, predictably, is set back<\/em>.<\/p>\n

18. Set in motion<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u555f\u52d5\uff1b\u5f15\u767c\u4e00\u9023\u4e32\u4e8b\u4ef6<\/em>
\nUsed for starting chain reactions or processes: “Her resignation set a major restructuring in motion that nobody anticipated.” Common in business news and analysis writing. Not strictly a two-word phrasal verb, but treated as a fixed expression.<\/p>\n

19. Set the scene<\/strong> [Separable] \u2014 \u8a2d\u5b9a\u5834\u666f\uff1b\u92ea\u588a\u80cc\u666f<\/em>
\nBoth literal (film and theater) and figurative: “Let me set the scene: it is 2008, the financial crisis has just started and nobody knows how deep it will go.” Excellent for presentations and storytelling in writing.<\/p>\n

20. Set store by<\/strong> [Inseparable] \u2014 \u91cd\u8996\uff1b\u770b\u91cd<\/em>
\nA slightly formal British expression: “She sets great store by honesty in the workplace.” If someone says they “do not set much store by” something, they do not think it matters much. You will see it in literature and formal opinion writing more than in conversation.<\/p>\n

\"set<\/p>\n

“What sets you apart from other candidates?” \u2014 one of the most common English job interview questions<\/em><\/p>\n

Watch: Phrasal Verbs with SET | \u5f71\u7247\u6559\u5b78<\/h2>\n

This lesson covers the core SET phrasal verbs with clear examples and pronunciation. Useful if you want to hear them before practicing in writing.<\/p>\n

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