set
set — verb
1. to carefully lay or stand an object somewhere — for example, putting a vase on a
to carefully lay or stand an object somewhere — for example, putting a vase on a shelf or a tray of cookies on the kitchen table.
Beatriz set the heavy suitcase down on the wooden floor.
set + object + down + on [surface]
The waiter set two glasses of red wine in front of us.
set + object + in front of [person]
Christopher set the baby gently into the crib and tiptoed out.
She set her keys beside the lamp so she would remember them.
Takeshi set the tray of warm bread on the kitchen counter.
文法句型
set + object + adv/prep of place
用法筆記
Almost always followed by an adverb or preposition that names the destination — 'set the box' alone sounds incomplete. More careful and deliberate than 'put'.
常見錯誤
2. to choose where and when the events of a novel, film, or play happen — used in t
to choose where and when the events of a novel, film, or play happen — used in the passive to describe a story whose backdrop is a particular era or location, like 1920s Paris or a small island.
The novel is set in a small village in northern Japan during the 1950s.
passive: be set in [place] during [time]
Roya watched a film set in ancient Egypt for her history class.
set in [historical period]
The director chose to set the play in a busy modern airport.
Most of the story is set inside one cramped apartment in Berlin.
The new TV series is set ten years after the original ended.
- take place
describes the events themselves; 'be set' describes the author's choice of backdrop.
- locate
more formal; less common for fiction.
文法句型
be set in [time/place]
用法筆記
Most often passive ('is set in...'). The subject is the work of fiction (book, film, play, episode); the object of 'in' names the place, time, or period.
常見錯誤
3. to make a person or thing enter a particular state, such as making prisoners fre
to make a person or thing enter a particular state, such as making prisoners free, making a building on fire, or making someone at ease.
The kind words from Eve set her mind at ease before the surgery.
set + object + at ease
After ten years in prison, the judge finally set Rachid free.
set + somebody + free
A single match can set a dry forest ablaze within minutes.
The surprise gift set the children laughing and shouting with joy.
Gabriel apologised, hoping to set things right between the two friends.
- leave
to not change the state of someone or something.
文法句型
set + object + adjective
set + object + free/loose/right
用法筆記
The complement is usually a short adjective (free, loose, right, ablaze) or an -ing form. Distinguish from sense 4: sense 3 names a state ('free', 'right'); sense 4 names an action ('working', 'thinking').
常見錯誤
4. to make a person or thing begin doing an activity — for instance, making a class
to make a person or thing begin doing an activity — for instance, making a class start writing, or making a clock begin ticking again after a repair.
Ravindra's strange question set the whole class thinking for half an hour.
set + object + thinking (-ing form)
The teacher set us writing essays about our favourite childhood meal.
set + somebody + -ing
A small spark from the fireplace set the curtain smoking.
The smell of coffee set my stomach rumbling almost immediately.
Élise set the children to washing the muddy bicycles in the yard.
- stop
to make an action end, not begin.
文法句型
set + object + -ing
set + somebody + to + verb
用法筆記
Use the -ing form for the started action ('set them laughing'), not the bare infinitive. Distinguish from sense 3: here the focus is on starting an activity that continues; sense 3 describes entering a state.
常見錯誤
5. to give a person a job, task, or duty that they have to do — for example, asking
to give a person a job, task, or duty that they have to do — for example, asking a colleague to write a report or giving a child the chore of clearing the table.
Quan set his interns the task of writing a short market summary.
set + somebody + the task of + -ing
The new manager set us a tough deadline for the year-end report.
set + somebody + a deadline
Salma set the children small jobs around the kitchen each Saturday.
The coach set Harper the difficult job of leading warm-ups for the team.
- excuse
to free someone from a duty rather than give one.
文法句型
set + somebody + a task/job
用法筆記
More common in British than American English; American speakers often say 'give someone a task' instead. Distinguish from sense 16 (verb_b3, GIVE WORK), which is specifically about classroom homework.
常見錯誤
6. to officially decide a level, rule, target, or example that other people will th
to officially decide a level, rule, target, or example that other people will then aim for, follow, or be measured against.
Lucía set a new world record in the women's 400-metre freestyle.
set + a (new) record
The committee set strict rules for entering the photography contest.
set + rules/limits
Théo's quiet kindness set a wonderful example for his younger brother.
Our team set a goal of selling fifty tickets before Friday.
The bank has set the interest rate at three percent for next year.
- break
to beat a record rather than create one.
文法句型
set + a record/standard/example/goal/limit
用法筆記
Object is almost always something that defines a measure: record, standard, goal, target, limit, rule, example, price, deadline. Often paired with 'at' to give the exact value ('set the price at $20').
常見錯誤
7. to adjust a machine, clock, or tool to the right number, time, or position so th
to adjust a machine, clock, or tool to the right number, time, or position so that it will work or do what you want — for example, choosing 7 a.m. on an alarm clock, or turning an oven dial to 180 degrees.
Gita set her alarm for five thirty so she could catch the early train to Kyoto.
set + [device] + for + [time]
Henrik set the oven to 180 degrees before sliding in the tray of cookies.
set + [device] + to + [number]
Please set the dishwasher to run after midnight, when electricity is cheaper.
The nurse set the drip carefully and checked that it was flowing at the right speed.
Otis forgot to set the table for dinner, so the guests had to wait in the kitchen.
文法句型
set + object + to-infinitive
set + object + for + noun
用法筆記
Object is usually a machine, timer, dial, or table laid for a meal. The fixed phrase 'set the table' means to arrange plates and cutlery; it does not fit the other senses of this verb.
常見錯誤
8. to arrange furniture, lights, and other objects on a stage or film location so t
to arrange furniture, lights, and other objects on a stage or film location so that they show the place and period where the story is supposed to happen.
Crew members set the stage with old wooden chairs and oil lamps to suggest a Victorian parlour.
set + the stage + with + [props]
Élise spent the afternoon setting the scene for the next morning's shoot in the cathedral.
set + the scene (collocation)
The crew set the small studio to look like a 1970s office, complete with a typewriter and rotary phone.
Gabriel was proud of how he had set the bedroom scene, using only candles for light.
- strike
industry term: 'strike the set' — to take everything down after a show ends
文法句型
set + [stage / scene]
set + object + with + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 7 (preparing a machine): here the object is always a stage, set, or scene, and the goal is to create a believable place and time for performers or cameras.
9. to choose and announce something definite — most often a date, time, price, limi
to choose and announce something definite — most often a date, time, price, limit, or target — so that it is fixed and other people can plan around it.
The committee set the wedding date for the second Saturday in June.
set + [date] + for + [day]
Olivia set a strict deadline of Friday at noon for the final report.
set + [deadline / limit]
The shop has set the price of the new bicycle at twelve thousand baht.
Coach Aarav set a clear goal: the team must score thirty points before half time.
The new law sets the legal driving age at eighteen across the whole country.
文法句型
set + [date / price / limit / target]
set + object + at + amount
用法筆記
Object is typically an abstract numerical value: a date, price, deadline, limit, target, or rule. Often used in the passive: 'the date has been set'.
常見錯誤
10. to fasten a precious stone such as a diamond or ruby firmly into the metal of a
to fasten a precious stone such as a diamond or ruby firmly into the metal of a ring, necklace, or other piece of jewellery, so that it cannot fall out.
The jeweller set the small green emerald into a thin band of yellow gold.
set + [stone] + into + [jewellery]
Soraya's wedding ring is set with three tiny diamonds in a row.
passive: [jewellery] + be set with + [stones]
A large blue sapphire was set in the centre of the silver brooch.
Ignacio asked the goldsmith to set his grandmother's pearl into a new pendant.
文法句型
set + [stone] + in/into + [jewellery]
[jewellery] + be set with + [stone]
用法筆記
Frequently passive: '[jewellery] is set with [stones]' or '[stone] is set in [jewellery]'. Subject of the active form is usually a jeweller or goldsmith.
11. when a medic treats a fracture by pushing the two ends of the bone back into the
when a medic treats a fracture by pushing the two ends of the bone back into the correct alignment and holding them still, so that the body can rebuild a single solid bone instead of two pieces.
The doctor set Yara's broken wrist and then wrapped it in a thick white plaster cast.
set + [broken body part]
An emergency-room surgeon carefully set the boy's leg before sending him for an X-ray.
On the mountain, a doctor used two wooden sticks to set the climber's broken arm.
Jiwoo waited two hours for a specialist to set her father's fractured collarbone.
文法句型
set + [broken bone]
用法筆記
Subject is almost always a doctor, surgeon, or medic; object is the broken bone or the body part containing it. Distinguish from sense 12, which is intransitive and describes the bone healing on its own.
12. of a fracture: to fuse and become whole again as the two ends grow back together
of a fracture: to fuse and become whole again as the two ends grow back together inside the body, often staying in whatever shape the bone has been left in.
The doctor warned that without a cast, the bone might set in a crooked position.
[bone] + set + in + [position]
Christopher's broken finger set quickly because he kept it completely still for six weeks.
The vet said the puppy's leg was already starting to set after only ten days.
If a child's wrist sets badly, surgeons sometimes have to break it again to fix the angle.
文法句型
[bone] + set
用法筆記
Intransitive — the bone itself is the subject; there is no 'doer' in the sentence. Distinguish from sense 11, where a doctor is the subject and the bone is the object.
常見錯誤
13. to shape damp hair using rollers, clips, or pins, then leave it to dry so the st
to shape damp hair using rollers, clips, or pins, then leave it to dry so the strands hold the chosen curl or wave.
Manuela went to the salon to have her hair set for her sister's wedding.
passive: have one's hair set
The stylist set Wren's hair in soft waves using heated rollers.
set + hair + in [style]
Grandma Inês used to set her own hair every Friday with pink plastic curlers.
Before the photo shoot, the makeup artist washed and set Lauren's hair.
文法句型
have one's hair set
用法筆記
Almost always used in salon or hair-styling contexts. Frequently appears in the passive 'have your hair set' rather than as an active subject. Distinguish from sense 14 (tighten part of body) — this sense always takes 'hair' as its object.
常見錯誤
14. to hold the muscles of your jaw, mouth, or face stiff so that your expression sh
to hold the muscles of your jaw, mouth, or face stiff so that your expression shows you are firmly decided and will not back down.
Arjun set his jaw and walked into the manager's office to demand a refund.
set + jaw to show determination
Mayumi set her mouth in a thin line and refused to answer any more questions.
set + mouth + in [shape]
Eitan's face was set as he carried the heavy box up six flights of stairs.
The boxer set his shoulders and stepped forward to face his opponent.
- relax
loosen the muscles, opposite stance
文法句型
set + body part (jaw, face, mouth, shoulders)
用法筆記
Object is restricted to a small set of body parts that can show resolve: jaw, mouth, lips, face, chin, shoulders. Often appears in the passive ('her face was set'). Distinguish from sense 13 — this sense is about muscle tension showing emotion, not hair styling.
常見錯誤
15. (of glue, jelly, concrete, or a similar runny mixture) to change from a soft or
(of glue, jelly, concrete, or a similar runny mixture) to change from a soft or liquid state into a firm or solid one as it cools, dries, or reacts chemically.
Leave the jelly in the fridge for at least four hours so it has time to set.
intransitive: subject is the substance
The concrete around the new fence post should set overnight if it doesn't rain.
Aaron waited for the glue to set before lifting the wooden frame off the table.
If you boil the jam for too long, it will set into a hard, rubbery block.
文法句型
[liquid/mixture] sets
用法筆記
Subject must be a liquid or soft material — glue, cement, jelly, jam, plaster, resin, custard. Intransitive: the substance does the setting itself; you don't 'set' it actively in this sense (use 'let it set' or 'wait for it to set' instead).
常見錯誤
16. (of a teacher) to tell students which homework, essay, or exam questions they ha
(of a teacher) to tell students which homework, essay, or exam questions they have to complete, usually with a deadline.
Mr Brandon set the class twenty maths problems for Monday morning.
set + somebody + [homework]
Our history teacher sets us an essay every two weeks on a different topic.
set + us + [piece of work]
Ms Christopher set a tough vocabulary test for the end of term.
The exam board sets the same paper for all schools in the region on the same day.
文法句型
set + somebody + homework/an essay/a test
用法筆記
Mainly British English; American teachers usually 'give' or 'assign' homework. The subject is normally a teacher, professor, or exam board, and the indirect object is the student or class.
常見錯誤
17. to hand a particular job, challenge, or performance target to a person or group,
to hand a particular job, challenge, or performance target to a person or group, with the expectation that they will carry it out or reach it.
The coach set Ryan a target of running ten kilometres before the end of the month.
set + somebody + a target
The new boss set the team three challenging goals for the next quarter.
set + team + goals
Kian was set the tricky job of cleaning out the office storage room.
The film director set the actors a strict schedule of voice lessons before filming began.
文法句型
set + somebody + a task/a challenge/a goal
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 16 — this sense covers tasks, challenges, goals, and targets in any setting (work, sport, training), while sense 16 is specific to school assignments. Often appears in the passive ('I was set a difficult job').
常見錯誤
18. to compose a tune that fits the rhythm and meaning of a poem, prayer, or other w
to compose a tune that fits the rhythm and meaning of a poem, prayer, or other written words, so that singers can perform them.
The composer Élise set three of her grandfather's poems to music for the choir.
set + [text] + to music
Schubert set many of Goethe's poems to music in the early nineteenth century.
Zuri spent two years setting the old folk story to a piano accompaniment.
The hymn was set to a slow, mournful tune that suited the funeral service.
文法句型
set + [text] + to music
用法筆記
The most common pattern is 'set [words] to music' or 'set [words] to a tune'. Object is always the written words (poem, lyrics, text); the music itself is introduced by 'to'. Often appears in the passive when the words are well known.
常見錯誤
19. If the sun sets, or if the moon or a planet sets, it slowly drops out of sight a
If the sun sets, or if the moon or a planet sets, it slowly drops out of sight at the far edge of the sky and disappears from view.
The sun was setting over the rice fields as Bao cycled home from school.
subject is the sun + 'over [place]' for location
By the time Heloísa reached the lighthouse, the sun had already set behind the cliffs.
past perfect 'had set' for an action finished before another past event
In summer the sun does not set in northern Norway until almost midnight.
Karim watched the full moon set slowly behind the desert hills.
Tourists gathered on the beach to watch Venus set just after sunset.
- rise
the opposite movement: sun, moon, or planet appearing above the horizon
文法句型
[sun/moon/planet] + sets
用法筆記
Only sense of 'set' that is intransitive with the sun, moon, or a planet as subject; never takes a direct object. Often paired with 'over', 'behind', or 'below' plus a place noun to describe where the body disappears from view.
常見錯誤
set — noun
1. several matching items made, sold, or kept as one collection — for example, a ro
several matching items made, sold, or kept as one collection — for example, a row of cups in the same colour, a complete pack of cards, or all the volumes of one encyclopedia.
Hao bought his mother a set of six blue tea cups for her birthday.
a set of + plural noun
The dentist gave Eliska a small set of teeth-cleaning tools to take home.
Grandfather kept a complete set of dictionaries on the top shelf.
One playing card was missing, so Ramón could not finish the set.
The museum sold tiny sets of postcards showing famous paintings.
- collection
broader; can include random items, not necessarily matching
- kit
more for tools or equipment than for matching decorative items
- pack
usually small items sold together in one wrapper, like cards
文法句型
a set of + plural noun
用法筆記
Subject or object is usually a plural noun joined by 'of' (a set of keys, a set of stamps). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense covers any matching collection, while sense 2 specifically means equipment for one activity.
常見錯誤
2. the tools or items that you need as a whole to do one particular activity — for
the tools or items that you need as a whole to do one particular activity — for example, all the pieces and the board you use to play chess.
Christopher unpacked the chess set on the kitchen table after dinner.
[activity] + set: chess set
For her tenth birthday, Shanti got a paint set with twelve colours and three brushes.
The drum set in the corner of the studio was missing one cymbal.
Bao brought a train set to play with on the long flight to Taipei.
文法句型
a + [activity] + set
a set of + [equipment]
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by the activity name as a modifier (chess set, train set, drum set, paint set). Differs from sense 1 in that the items are functional, not just matching.
3. in the gym, a single block in which you repeat one exercise (such as a push-up o
in the gym, a single block in which you repeat one exercise (such as a push-up or a squat) several times in a row before resting.
Jabari finished three sets of ten push-ups before the coach blew the whistle.
[number] sets of + exercise
Between sets, Élise drank water and stretched her shoulders.
between sets
Beginners should start with two sets, not five, to avoid sore muscles.
The trainer wrote four sets of squats on the whiteboard for the morning class.
- round
less specific to weight training; common in circuit or boxing contexts
文法句型
[number] sets of + exercise
用法筆記
Pairs almost always with a number plus 'of' plus the exercise (three sets of ten push-ups). The phrase 'sets and reps' is fixed gym vocabulary — sets contain reps, not the other way around.
常見錯誤
4. in mathematics, any collection of numbers, points, or other items that share a c
in mathematics, any collection of numbers, points, or other items that share a clearly defined property — for example, all the even numbers, or every prime below twenty.
Darius asked the class to list every prime number in the set below twenty.
the set of + [described items]
On the whiteboard, Eliska drew two circles to show how the two sets overlap.
The empty set has no members at all, but it is still a valid set.
Gabriel proved that the set of even numbers is infinite in just three lines.
- collection
informal substitute; most maths writing prefers 'set'
- group
in maths, 'group' has a different technical meaning, so avoid for general sets
文法句型
the set of + [described items]
用法筆記
Almost always paired with 'of' followed by the defining property. Common fixed phrases include 'the empty set', 'a finite set', and 'a subset of'. Distinguish from sense 1: a maths set is defined by a rule, while a sense-1 set is a physical group of matching items.
5. a circle of people who share the same hobbies, money level, or way of spending t
a circle of people who share the same hobbies, money level, or way of spending their free time, and who tend to socialise mostly with each other.
Jude moved to London and quickly fell in with the theatre set in Soho.
the [hobby] set
The skiing set spends every February in the Swiss Alps.
takes singular or plural verb
Nicholas was too shy and bookish for the loud party set at his college.
Magazines often write about the wealthy yacht set who sail around the Mediterranean.
文法句型
the [adjective] set
用法筆記
Almost always 'the [adjective or activity] set' (the jet set, the sporting set, the literary set). Slightly old-fashioned and sometimes mildly disapproving. Verb agreement is flexible: 'the theatre set is/are very welcoming' both occur.
常見錯誤
6. the prepared space — together with its painted backgrounds, lights, and furnitur
the prepared space — together with its painted backgrounds, lights, and furniture — where actors perform a scene for a film, TV show, or play.
Shanti spent the whole morning sweeping the dusty set before filming began.
the set
Two extras were not allowed on set without their costumes.
on set
The kitchen set looked real on camera but had no working taps.
Ramón designed a beautiful forest set for the school production of Macbeth.
文法句型
on (the) set
a film/movie set
用法筆記
The phrase 'on set' (no article) means 'at the filming location' and is a fixed industry expression — distinct from 'on the set', which can also work but emphasises one specific set. Distinguish from 'scene', which is a unit of acted story; the 'set' is the physical space where one or more scenes are filmed.
常見錯誤
7. in tennis or volleyball, one of the smaller scoring sections that together make
in tennis or volleyball, one of the smaller scoring sections that together make up a whole match; a player has to win several of these sections to win the match.
Diego lost the first set 6-3 but came back to win the match.
win/lose + set with score
The Japanese player needed only forty minutes to take the opening set.
take + the opening/first set
Élise saved three set points before finally breaking her opponent's serve.
The volleyball final went to a fifth set and lasted nearly three hours.
Aarav won the championship in straight sets without dropping a single game.
用法筆記
Almost always countable and used with a number or ordinal (first, second, fifth). Common collocations include 'set point', 'in straight sets', and 'win/lose/take a set'.
常見錯誤
8. a continuous block of songs that a band or DJ plays at one time during a concert
a continuous block of songs that a band or DJ plays at one time during a concert, especially in pop, rock, or jazz; a long show is often divided into two or three of these blocks with breaks between them.
The jazz quartet played a forty-minute set before taking a short break.
play + a [length] set
Omar's band closed their set with an old reggae song the crowd loved.
close/open + their set
The DJ at the wedding put together a brilliant set of dance tracks.
Asher arrived late and only caught the second set of the festival.
The drummer warmed up backstage while the support act finished their set.
- gig
informal; refers to the whole performance, not just one block within it
- performance
neutral; broader and works for any music style including classical
用法筆記
Frequently follows possessive pronouns (his set, their set) or 'opening/closing/encore'. Common in music journalism and gig reviews; rarely used for classical concerts, where 'movement' or 'half' is preferred.
9. the way a person holds part of their body, such as the shoulders, jaw, or head,
the way a person holds part of their body, such as the shoulders, jaw, or head, which often shows their mood or attitude — for example, a stiff jaw can suggest someone is angry or determined.
From the tense set of his shoulders, Christopher could tell his father was upset.
the [adj] set of [body part]
Ada walked into the courtroom with a confident set of her chin.
with a [adj] set of [body part]
The proud set of the dancer's head made every photograph look like a portrait.
There was a stubborn set to Théo's mouth that warned us not to argue.
文法句型
the set of [body part]
用法筆記
Almost always 'the set of [body part]' or 'a [adjective] set to [body part]'. Adjectives are nearly always emotional descriptors (proud, stubborn, weary). More common in literary writing than everyday speech.
10. a salon treatment in which wet hair is shaped with rollers, pins, or a hairdryer
a salon treatment in which wet hair is shaped with rollers, pins, or a hairdryer so that it dries in a chosen style; mostly associated with older or traditional hair-care routines.
Grandma Emma went to the salon every Friday for a wash and set.
collocation: a wash and set
Shirin booked a cut and set the day before her daughter's wedding.
collocation: a cut and set
The hairdresser charged twenty pounds for a shampoo and set.
Dario complained that the rain had ruined his mother's freshly done set.
- blow-dry
modern equivalent; uses heat from a dryer rather than rollers and time
用法筆記
Almost always paired with another salon service: 'wash and set', 'shampoo and set', 'cut and set'. Sounds dated to younger speakers; common in older British and American English.
11. a single appliance built to pick up television or radio broadcasts and turn them
a single appliance built to pick up television or radio broadcasts and turn them into pictures or sound for the viewer or listener at home.
Hassan bought a flat-screen TV set as a housewarming gift for his sister.
a TV set / television set
The old radio set in the kitchen still worked after thirty years.
a radio set
Takeshi switched off the television set and went to bed early.
Most homes in the village had only one black-and-white set in the living room.
Joon repaired vintage radio sets as a weekend hobby.
- television
modern and far more common in everyday speech than 'television set'
- receiver
technical; emphasises the signal-receiving function inside the device
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by 'TV', 'television', or 'radio', which makes the meaning clear. On its own, 'set' for an appliance sounds old-fashioned today; younger speakers usually just say 'TV' or 'radio'.
常見錯誤
set — adjective
1. fully ready to begin or do something, with everything you need already arranged.
fully ready to begin or do something, with everything you need already arranged.
Aylin checked her backpack one last time and said she was all set for the hike.
collocation: all set for + activity
Are you set to leave, or do you still need to lock the back door?
be set + to-infinitive
The runners were set at the starting line, waiting for the whistle.
Once the cake batter is in the oven, we're all set for the party.
- unprepared
lacks the readiness that 'set' implies
文法句型
be set for + noun
be set to + infinitive
all set
用法筆記
Predicative only — appears after a linking verb such as 'be', 'seem', or 'get'. Cannot stand before a noun in this sense; you cannot say 'a set runner'.
常見錯誤
2. very likely to do something soon, or in a position where something is almost cer
very likely to do something soon, or in a position where something is almost certain to happen.
Tanvi is set to become the youngest manager the bakery has ever hired.
be set to + infinitive for predicted future event
Heavy rain is set to continue across northern Taiwan until Friday morning.
weather forecast register
After winning three games in a row, the team is set for the final.
House prices are set to rise sharply in the city centre next year.
- unlikely
the opposite expectation
文法句型
be set to + infinitive
be set for + noun
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 1 (PREPARED): sense 2 predicts a future event rather than describing current readiness. Common in news headlines and forecasts where a writer signals a strong expectation.
常見錯誤
3. fixed and not easy to change — used about routines, opinions, or ways of behavin
fixed and not easy to change — used about routines, opinions, or ways of behaving that a person keeps repeating.
Grandfather has a set routine: tea at seven, news at eight, bed by ten.
before noun: set routine
Vinícius has very set ideas about how a kitchen should be organised.
before noun: set ideas / opinions
By his sixties, Hyun was so set in his ways that he refused to use the new phone.
The school has set hours for lunch, and no one is allowed to eat earlier.
- fixed
neutral; emphasises that it cannot move or vary
- rigid
stronger; suggests an unwillingness to bend even when reasonable
- inflexible
formal; often used about rules or systems
- flexible
willing to change or adapt
- open-minded
for people: ready to consider new ideas
文法句型
set + noun (routine, idea, way)
set in one's ways
用法筆記
Often carries a mildly negative tone when describing people, suggesting they refuse to adapt. Neutral when describing schedules, fees, or rules — 'set hours', 'set price', 'set menu'.
常見錯誤
4. describes a group of words whose order is fixed by tradition, so speakers always
describes a group of words whose order is fixed by tradition, so speakers always use the same wording rather than rearranging it.
'Bread and butter' is a set phrase — Talia learned that nobody says 'butter and bread'.
before noun: set phrase
Many polite greetings in Japanese are set expressions used at the same moment every day.
Christopher's textbook lists fifty set phrases that English learners should memorise.
'Once upon a time' is the set opening of nearly every English fairy tale.
文法句型
set phrase / set expression
用法筆記
Mostly used in linguistics and language teaching. The noun is always 'phrase', 'expression', 'formula', or similar — you wouldn't say 'a set sentence' for this meaning.
常見錯誤
5. chosen by a school or examiner so that students are required to read or study it
chosen by a school or examiner so that students are required to read or study it for a course or exam.
Romi groaned when she saw that 'Wuthering Heights' was a set book this term.
before noun: set book
The set authors for the literature exam include Shakespeare and Toni Morrison.
before noun: set authors
Indra spent the holiday writing notes on every set text on the syllabus.
The teacher reminded the class that the set play would appear on the final paper.
- prescribed
more formal; common in official syllabus documents
- required
American equivalent; 'required reading'
- assigned
American; emphasises that a teacher gave it as homework
- optional
students may choose whether to read it
文法句型
set + book / text / author / play
用法筆記
Mainly British educational vocabulary. American schools more often say 'required reading' or 'assigned text'. Always sits before the noun — 'a set book', not 'the book is set'.