set down

write down rules or conditions in a formal way

B2

What does "set sth down" mean?

To 'set down' something in this sense means to officially establish rules, conditions, or standards and record them formally, usually in a written document. It carries a legalistic or institutional flavour — you will find it in contracts, legislation, policy papers, and official codes rather than in everyday conversation. What makes it distinctive is the emphasis on the act of codifying something for the first time: the rules are not just explained, they are formally inscribed as binding. The phrasal verb is more common in British English than American English, where 'set forth' or 'lay out' tend to be preferred. Because of its formal tone, it would sound out of place in casual speech.

Examples

How to use it

subject + set down + noun phrase (rules/conditions/guidelines)

The most common pattern, where the object is an abstract noun referring to official rules or standards. The unseparated form is typical in formal and legal writing.

The committee set down strict guidelines for all future applications.

subject + set + noun phrase + down

Separation is possible with short noun phrases, though less common than the unseparated form, especially in formal documents.

The board set the criteria down before the selection process began.

noun phrase + be + set down + (by + agent)

The passive form is very natural and common, particularly when the focus is on the rules or conditions themselves rather than who established them.

The minimum safety standards were set down by the regulatory authority.

noun phrase + set down + in + document/statute/writing

This pattern emphasises where the rules or conditions have been formally recorded, often using phrases like 'in writing', 'in statute', or 'in the agreement'.

The obligations of each party are set down in the original contract.

subject + set down + noun phrase + (that-clause / wh-clause) [as expanded context]

When the established content is further explained or specified, the noun phrase object is often followed by additional detail in the surrounding sentence.

The legislation set down clear requirements that all manufacturers must meet.

Common Collocations

rulesguidelinesconditionsregulationsprocedurescriteria

Common Mistakes

Confusing 'set down' with 'set out'

'Set out' means to present or explain information in an organised way, while 'set down' specifically means to officially establish or record something as binding. Using 'set out' when you mean the formal codification of rules can change the meaning.

✗ The new law sets out penalties for non-compliance for the first time.
✓ The new law sets down penalties for non-compliance for the first time.
Using continuous tenses

'Set down' in the sense of officially establishing rules describes a deliberate, completed act rather than an ongoing process, so continuous forms sound unnatural. Use simple tenses instead.

✗ The committee is setting down the new procedures this week.
✓ The committee will set down the new procedures this week.
Using a pronoun object in formal contexts

Although 'set them down' is grammatically correct, it sounds awkward in formal writing where this phrasal verb typically appears. In official documents, always use the full noun phrase for clarity.

✗ Once the board agreed on the rules, they set them down.
✓ Once the board agreed, they set down the rules in a formal resolution.

Usage

This phrasal verb is formal and more common in British English; in American English, 'set forth' or 'lay out' are more typical. It appears mainly in written legal, official, or policy contexts, not in everyday conversation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'set down' mainly British English? Would an American speaker understand it?

Yes, 'set down' in this sense is more typical of British English and appears frequently in British legal and official documents. American English tends to use 'set forth' or 'lay out' in similar contexts. An American speaker would understand 'set down', but it might sound slightly formal or old-fashioned to them.

What kinds of things can be 'set down'? Can I use it with any noun?

In this sense, 'set down' almost always takes abstract nouns related to official rules or standards — words like rules, guidelines, conditions, criteria, requirements, regulations, and procedures. It does not work with concrete objects in this sense; using it with something physical would suggest the completely different meaning of placing something on a surface.

Does 'set down' always imply something is written down?

Yes, that is one of the key features of this phrasal verb. It implies that the rules or conditions have been formally recorded in writing — in a contract, a law, a policy document, or a similar official text. This is what makes it slightly different from a synonym like 'lay down', which focuses more on the authority behind the rule than on the act of recording it.

Can 'set down' have other meanings? I've seen it used differently.

Yes, 'set down' has other senses that are completely unrelated to this one. It can mean to place something you are carrying onto a surface, or in British English, to stop a vehicle and let a passenger out. This page covers only the formal sense of officially establishing rules or conditions — the object and context will always make it clear which meaning is intended.

Can I use 'set down' in an essay or academic report?

Yes, but bear in mind that 'set down' has a distinctly formal and legalistic flavour, so it fits best when you are referring to rules, regulations, or conditions that have been officially codified — for example, in legislation or a formal agreement. In a general academic argument where you simply want to explain or present information, 'set out' or 'outline' would usually be more appropriate.

Related Phrasal Verbs

lay sb/sth down

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