One of the features of the English language is phrasal verbs. They are a verb with a preposition and / or adverb, which are not translated separately, but form an independent unit of speech and differ greatly in meaning from the component parts. For example, the phrasal verb set, in combination with various prepositions, can mean either “flatten” or “obstruct”. Usually the verb and the preposition follow each other, but sometimes other members of the sentence can be inserted between them.
Do I need to use phrasal verbs?
Phrasal verbs are found everywhere: in speech, writing, books, periodicals. The best way to remember them is to pay attention to them when they catch your eye. Subsequently, you can automatically paste them in the right place in a similar context. If in doubt, a phrasal verb or just a verb followed by an adverb, you can always look into the dictionary (both ordinary and specialized, where only phrasal verbs are collected). And, of course, use them in your speech. Only practice will make them your friends.
Phrase verb set
Today, we take the phrasal verb set as an example.
In its pure form, set translates as: “set”, “install”, “determine”, “assign”.
The workmen set the box carefully on the floor (Workers carefully put the box on the floor).
The Prime Minister's fierce speech set the ton for the rest of the conference (The Prime Minister’s strong speech set the tone for the entire conference).
This is an irregular verb, and its second and third forms correspond to an infinitive without a particle to - set, set, set. Participle I is formed as usual set + -ing = setting.
Phrase verb set. Translation of various combinations
There are a lot of phrasal verbs based on set, and almost each of them has several meanings. For example, set up. The translation of the phrasal verb set up is entirely contextual. Let's consider the options.
Set up:
- Begin (business). Now his father plans to set up shop somewhere in Europe (Now his father plans to open a store somewhere in Europe).
- Reduce, collapse (used in informal dialogs). How did you meet Nick? A friend set us up (How did you meet Nick? A friend introduced us).
- To sponsor. After he qualified as a doctor, his mother set him up in a practice of his own (When he received a doctor’s diploma, his mother gave money to open his own practice).
Set in: to begin (about something long and not very pleasant). Winter seems to be setting in early this year (It seems that winter will be early this year).
Set off:
- To leave, to leave. I set off early to avoid the traffic (I leave early so as not to get stuck in traffic jams).
- Decorate. The blue sundress set off her long blonde hair (Blue sundress favorably emphasizes her long blonde hair).
Set out: drive out, fly out (especially on a long trip). Betty is setting out on a European journey in summer (Betty goes on a summer tour in Europe).
Set back: discourage, delay. Illness had set me back a couple of weeks (Illness delayed me for a couple of weeks).
Set down:
- To write down, to write. I wanted to set my shopping list down on the paper (I wanted to write a shopping list on paper).
- Drop off (from car, bus). The driver set her down at the station (The driver dropped her off at the bus stop).
Set apart: advantageous to distinguish, highlight. Man's ability to reason sets him apart from other animals (The ability to think distinguishes him from other mammals).
Set aside:
- Set aside (money), save, set aside (time). Try to set aside some time each day for exercise.
- Void. The judge set aside the verdict of the lower court (the judge annulled the verdict of the lower court).
Set forth: state (arguments, facts). He set forth an idealistic view of society (He set forth an idealistic view of society).
Set to: take, take (for something energetically, enthusiastically). If we all set to, we'll finish the job in an hour (If we all get stressed, we will finish work in an hour).
Set against:
- Set one against the other, set against each other. The bitter civil war set brother against brother (The brutal civil war set the brothers against each other).
- Confront, boycott. She's set herself against going to universety (She was determined not to go to university).
Set about: start, take steps (especially regarding something that takes time and effort). A team of voluntarees set about the task with determination (The group of volunteers resolutely started the task).