set out

3 meanings

Meanings
  1. 1 start doing something with a clear goal in mind B1
  2. 2 start a journey, especially a long one B1
  3. 3 explain or present something clearly, usually in writing B2
1 set out

start doing something with a clear goal in mind

B1

What does "set out" mean in this sense?

To 'set out to do something' means to begin a task or project with a clear goal in your mind. It shows that you are acting with purpose — you have decided what you want to achieve and you are starting to work towards it. For example, a writer might set out to write a short story, or a team might set out to solve a difficult problem. The word 'originally' often appears with this phrasal verb when someone is explaining how their plans changed ('I originally set out to study law'). It is a natural choice in both everyday conversation and written English, for example in news articles, biographies, and business reports.

Examples

How to use it

set out + to-infinitive

This is the most common structure — use 'to' followed by a verb in its base form to show the goal or purpose.

She set out to create a product that anyone could afford.

originally / deliberately + set out + to-infinitive

Adverbs like 'originally' or 'deliberately' are often added before 'set out' to give extra information about intent or to show that plans changed.

I originally set out to make a short video, but it turned into a full documentary.

set out + to-infinitive (with a team or organisation as subject)

The subject does not have to be a single person — groups, companies, and organisations can also 'set out to do' something.

The team set out to find a solution before the end of the year.

set out + on + noun phrase (mission/quest/journey)

You can use 'on' followed by a noun phrase like 'a mission' or 'a quest' to describe beginning a purposeful endeavour.

They set out on a mission to bring clean water to the local community.

Common Collocations

set out to proveset out to achieveset out to findset out to createoriginally set out todeliberately set out to

Common Mistakes

Using a gerund instead of an infinitive

After 'set out', always use 'to + infinitive', not 'for + gerund'. Saying 'set out for improving' is not correct English.

✗ She set out for improving her fitness.
✓ She set out to improve her fitness.
Confusing with 'set about'

'Set about' means to actively start working on a task right away and is followed by a gerund ('set about fixing'). 'Set out to' focuses on the overall goal or intention and uses an infinitive. They are not interchangeable.

✗ He set out finding a new approach to the problem.
✓ He set out to find a new approach to the problem. / He set about finding a new approach to the problem.
Mixing up the two meanings of 'set out'

'Set out' has another meaning — to arrange or display items (for example, 'She set out the plates'). This is a completely different sense. The purposeful meaning always needs 'to + infinitive' or 'on a mission/quest' to make the meaning clear.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written English. It often appears with 'originally' when describing how plans evolved or changed over time.

2 set out

start a journey, especially a long one

B1

Sense 2: What does "set out" mean?

To 'set out' means to begin a journey, leaving one place and heading towards another. It often suggests a planned or purposeful departure — not just a casual walk, but a deliberate trip with a clear destination or goal. You'll find it used in everyday conversation, travel stories, and historical accounts. It is often followed by 'for' and a destination ('set out for the coast') or 'on' and a type of journey ('set out on an expedition'). It sounds slightly more formal or deliberate than similar expressions like 'set off' or 'head out'.

Examples

How to use it

set out for + destination

Use 'for' followed by a place name or noun when you want to mention where the journey is heading.

They set out for the capital early on Monday morning.

set out on + journey noun

Use 'on' followed by a noun like 'journey', 'expedition', or 'trek' to describe the type of travel being undertaken.

The team set out on a three-week expedition through the jungle.

set out + time expression

Time expressions such as 'early', 'at dawn', or 'the next morning' often appear directly after 'set out' to say when the journey began.

We set out at first light to make the most of the cool weather.

set out from + starting point

Use 'from' when you want to mention the place where the journey began.

The hikers set out from the village and followed the river north.

be going to / plan to + set out

Use 'set out' with future forms or verbs like 'plan to' when talking about a journey that hasn't happened yet.

We're planning to set out before sunrise to avoid the traffic.

Common Collocations

set out for [place]set out on a journeyset out earlyset out at dawnset out on an expeditionset out from [place]

Common Mistakes

Using 'set out' with a direct object

In this sense, 'set out' is intransitive — it never takes a direct object. If a noun follows directly (like 'set out the chairs'), it becomes a completely different meaning: to arrange or display things.

✗ We set out the trail at dawn.
✓ We set out on the trail at dawn.
Confusing 'set out' with 'set out' (explain/describe sense)

The same words 'set out' can mean to explain or present something clearly (e.g. 'she set out her plans'). If you see a direct object after 'set out', it's that other meaning — the journey sense never has one.

✗ He set out his reasons and then set out for the airport. (ambiguous without care)
✓ Make sure context is clear: 'set out his reasons' = explain; 'set out for the airport' = begin a journey.
Using the past continuous for journey starts

'We were setting out' sounds unnatural when describing the beginning of a journey. Use the simple past, present perfect, or simple present instead.

✗ We were setting out for the coast when it started to rain.
✓ We set out for the coast when it started to rain.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both speech and writing. It is slightly more formal or literary than 'set off' and more common in planned, purposeful journey contexts such as travel stories or historical narratives.

3 set sth out

explain or present something clearly, usually in writing

B2

Sense 3: What does "set sth out" mean?

This sense of 'set out' means to present information in a clear, structured, and often official way — typically in writing. It suggests that the content has been organised carefully and stated in full, so that the reader can understand exactly what is expected or intended. You'll encounter it most often in legal agreements, government reports, academic papers, and business documents. What makes it distinctive is its formality and the implication that the information is being recorded or communicated in an authoritative way. Adverbs like 'clearly', 'fully', and 'explicitly' often appear with it to emphasise how thoroughly something has been presented.

Examples

How to use it

set out + noun object

The most common pattern — a person, organisation, or document presents a content object such as terms, criteria, or proposals.

The committee set out the criteria for selecting candidates in its official report.

set + pronoun + out

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'set' and 'out' — it cannot follow 'out'.

The lawyer explained the terms and then set them out in a written summary.

be set out + in/by

The passive is very natural in formal and official contexts, often followed by 'in' to indicate the document where the information appears.

The requirements for eligibility are set out in the application guidelines.

set out + noun object + in + document/section

This pattern specifies where the information has been formally presented.

The proposal sets out the main objectives in its opening section.

as set out in + document

A fixed-phrase pattern common in formal writing that refers back to a document where details have already been stated.

All parties must comply with the conditions as set out in the agreement.

Common Collocations

set out the termsset out the requirementsset out the conditionsset out the guidelinesset out the proposalsset out the findings

Common Mistakes

Confusing the senses of 'set out'

This formal 'present/explain' sense always takes a noun object (something like terms, criteria, or guidelines). If there is no noun object — or if 'set out' is followed by 'to + infinitive' — it signals a different meaning entirely. Always check what follows.

✗ The report set out to improve public transport. (= aimed to, not 'presented')
✓ The report set out the proposals for improving public transport.
Confusing 'set out' with 'spell out'

'Spell out' suggests making something explicit because it might be misunderstood or overlooked; 'set out' is more neutral and formal, focused on organised, structured presentation. They are not always interchangeable.

✗ The contract spelled out the general framework for the project. (implies it needed to be made unnaturally explicit)
✓ The contract set out the general framework for the project.
Using a continuous tense

'Set out' in this sense describes a completed or habitual act of presenting information, not an action in progress. Continuous forms sound unnatural.

✗ The document is setting out the conditions for the agreement.
✓ The document sets out the conditions for the agreement.

Usage

This sense of 'set out' is formal and mostly written; it appears frequently in legal, academic, and official documents. It is common in British English official writing and is often found in passive constructions such as 'as set out in the report'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'set out' in the present continuous, like 'I am setting out to prove this'?

It is possible but sounds a little unnatural. Most of the time, 'set out' is used in the simple past, present, or perfect tenses. Saying 'I set out to prove this' or 'I have set out to prove this' sounds much more natural than 'I am setting out to prove this'.

Does 'set out to do something' always mean the goal was achieved?

No — 'set out to do something' only describes the intention at the start, not the result. The person may or may not have succeeded. For example, 'She set out to win the competition, but finished third' is perfectly natural.

Is 'set out' the same as 'set off'?

'Set off' is mainly used for physically leaving a place to begin a trip ('We set off early in the morning'). 'Set out to do something' focuses on purpose and intention rather than physical movement. You cannot use 'set off' with 'to + infinitive' in the same way.

What kinds of goals or activities work with 'set out to'?

Almost any deliberate, goal-oriented activity works — for example, 'set out to prove', 'set out to build', 'set out to solve', or 'set out to change'. The key idea is that there is a clear aim. It does not work well for accidental or unplanned actions.

Can 'set out to' be used in negative sentences?

Yes, and it is quite common. Negative forms often appear when denying or explaining intentions — for example, 'I didn't set out to upset anyone' or 'They never set out to break the rules'. The phrase 'deliberately set out to' is also frequently used in critical contexts, such as 'He deliberately set out to mislead his colleagues'.

Does 'set out' always mean to start a journey?

No — 'set out' has other meanings too. It can mean to arrange things ('she set out the cups') or to explain something clearly ('he set out his reasons'). The journey meaning is easy to spot because no object follows the verb — you just 'set out', often with 'for' a destination or 'on' a type of journey.

What's the difference between 'set out' and 'set off'?

Both mean to start a journey and are often interchangeable. However, 'set out' sounds slightly more deliberate or purposeful and is more common in travel writing and narratives. 'Set off' is a little more informal and everyday. You can usually use either, but 'set out for [place]' is especially natural.

Can I use 'set out' in the passive, like 'the journey was set out'?

No — because 'set out' (journey sense) is intransitive and has no object, it cannot be used in the passive. Only transitive verbs with objects can form passive sentences.

Is 'set out' only used for long or important journeys?

Not necessarily, but it does carry a slightly deliberate or purposeful feeling, so it suits planned trips well. You can use it for a short hike or a daily commute, though in very casual conversation people might prefer 'head out' or 'set off' for smaller trips.

Can I say 'set out to [place]' instead of 'set out for [place]'?

The most natural preposition with a destination is 'for' — 'set out for Rome', 'set out for the station'. Using 'to' is possible but less common and can sound slightly awkward. Stick with 'for' when mentioning a destination, or use 'on' when describing the type of journey.

Is this sense of 'set out' used in spoken English?

It can appear in formal spoken contexts such as official speeches, presentations, or meetings, but it is much more common in writing. In casual conversation, people would more likely say 'explain' or 'go through' instead.

Can 'set out' be used in the passive in academic writing?

Yes — the passive is actually very common with this sense and sounds natural in academic and official writing. Phrases like 'as set out in the report' or 'the criteria are set out below' are completely standard and widely used.

What kinds of things can you 'set out'?

Typically, you set out formal or structured content — things like terms, conditions, requirements, criteria, guidelines, proposals, objectives, findings, and procedures. You would not normally 'set out' informal or personal information.

Does 'set out' always mean the same thing?

No — 'set out' has two other common meanings: to begin a journey (e.g. 'We set out at dawn') and to intend to do something (e.g. 'She set out to challenge the decision'). The 'present/explain' sense is always followed by a noun object like 'the terms' or 'the guidelines', which helps identify it.

Is 'set out' more common in British or American English?

This sense is used in both varieties, but it is particularly frequent in British English official and legal writing. You will see it regularly in government documents, legislation, and formal correspondence produced in the UK.

Related Phrasal Verbs

start out
set off
lay sth out
spell sth out

Ready to practise?

Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.

Start Practising →