Meaning trap
set up
arrange or establish
to organize or start something, such as a business, event, or system
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
to organize or start something, such as a business, event, or system
Another meaning of 'set up' is 'prepare equipment'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- They decided to set up a small café near the university.work
- In my opinion, it takes a lot of planning and teamwork to set up a successful community project.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: set up [noun]
WrongWe set up a meeting to the new client.
RightWe set up a meeting with the new client.
You set up a meeting WITH someone, not 'to' someone.
Patternset up [noun]
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Set up' is the natural verb for arranging or starting things. 'Establish the necessary arrangements' is heavy and formal.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
set up + thing starteda businessan accounta meetinga system
Don't confuse it
'Set up' is about starting or arranging something, while 'set off' means to begin a journey.
Related
- set up (prepare equipment) — Another meaning of 'set up' is 'prepare equipment'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.