set out — to explain or describe something clearly
phrasal verbB2IELTS 6+neutraloccasional
to present ideas, plans, or information in a clear and organized way.
Say it like a native
Textbook The document delineates the procedures in a systematic manner.
Native The document sets out the steps clearly.
'Set out' is the natural verb for presenting information in order; 'delineates in a systematic manner' is bureaucratic.
Pattern: set out (something)
In use
- The teacher set out the rules for the project very clearly.study
- In my presentation, I set out the main reasons why technology is important in education.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ The report sets out clearly the plan in detail.
✓ The report sets out the plan clearly.
'Set out' takes the thing presented; keep the adverb ('clearly') after the object.
Common collocations
set out + information— the steps, your argument, the terms, the plan
Don't confuse it
'Set up' means to arrange or prepare something, not to explain.
Related
- set out (to start a journey) — Another meaning of 'set out' is 'to start a journey'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.