set about
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle about
Meanings
Begin a task with deliberate effort
Why “about”? You turn toward a task and start it.
“She set about cleaning the kitchen.”
“Maya set about sorting the files.”
Common mistake
She set about to clean the house.
She set about cleaning the house.
After set about, use the -ing form.
Natural collocations
The word partners “set about” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Don't confuse with
Test yourself
“She set about cleaning the kitchen.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
set apart
A contrast learners often mix up
Make someone or something different from others
set out
A contrast learners often mix up
Begin a journey; Begin trying to do something with a clear goal
bring about
Same about pattern: starting
Cause something to happen
come about
Same about pattern: starting
Happen, especially in an unplanned way; Of a ship, change tack to the opposite side
go about
Same about pattern: starting
Approach or carry out a task in a particular way; Do your normal activities
set aside
Same base verb: set
Save something for a particular purpose; Decide to ignore feelings or differences for a moment; Decide that an earlier court decision no longer applies
set back
Same base verb: set
Delay or hinder progress; Cost someone a particular amount of money
set behind
Same base verb: set
Cause something or someone to be slower than expected
Tell it apart
Side-by-side comparisons with the verbs learners most often confuse for “set about”.
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