Set aside means to keep something for a particular purpose, or to cancel a rule or decision. To use set aside in a sentence, give it an object and a reason: “We set aside money for repairs.” The phrase is transitive, so a pronoun sits between the verb and the particle.
Set aside at a glance
- Set aside is a phrasal verb; its forms are sets aside, setting aside and the unchanged past set aside.
- The dominant patterns are set aside + money, time or a decision.
- The particle aside can move after a short object but never after a pronoun.
- Set aside covers reserving, keeping for later, and overturning a legal ruling.
- The commonest error is writing set aside it instead of set it aside.
What does set aside mean?
Set aside is a phrasal verb meaning to keep something for a purpose, to stop using something for a time, or to cancel a legal decision. The Cambridge entry for set aside records the reserving sense first, and that sense dominates everyday use. The three senses share one idea: something is separated from its normal place and held.
| Sense | Plain meaning | Example sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Reserve for a purpose | Keep money or time back for a named use | The council set aside funds for the library roof. |
| Keep out of the way | Put something somewhere until it is needed | She set aside the letters she had already answered. |
| Cancel or annul | Overturn a rule, verdict or decision | The appeal court set aside the original ruling. |
One limitation is worth stating plainly. Set aside does not mean throw away. A sum set aside is kept for a purpose, so a sentence about money that will never be used calls for discard or spend instead. The legal sense also needs a body with the power to cancel, so set aside a rule only when a court, tribunal or committee does it.
How do you use set aside in a sentence?
Put the thing first and the purpose second: set aside money for a trip. Five patterns cover nearly every real sentence, and the one rule that causes trouble is pronoun placement. A committee that wants to protect next year’s repairs can allocate a budget line and set that money aside.
| Pattern | Example | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| set aside + money or time | The firm set aside a bonus pool. | Resources are reserved before they are needed. |
| set + object + aside | She set the notebook aside. | The particle moves right; the object stays close to the verb. |
| set + pronoun + aside | Set it aside for now. | A pronoun must sit between verb and particle. |
| be set aside | The verdict was set aside on appeal. | Passive voice, used for formal cancellations. |
| set aside + differences | They set aside their rivalry for the final. | Figurative putting-aside of a feeling. |
Set aside in a sentence: examples across contexts
Set aside keeps one meaning while moving through many registers. The nine sentences below travel from a kitchen table to a courtroom, and each one names what is being reserved or cancelled.
| Context | Example sentence | Why this works |
|---|---|---|
| Home budgeting | We set aside twenty pounds a week for the school trip. | A concrete sum makes the reserving sense easy to picture. |
| Workplace email | Please set aside an hour on Friday for the handover. | Time is the object, which keeps the request polite and specific. |
| News report | The government set aside a billion for flood defences. | Names the authority and the amount, as reporting requires. |
| Legal writing | The tribunal set aside the earlier penalty. | Uses the cancel sense with a body that holds the power. |
| Academic prose | Set aside the outlier, and the trend is clear. | The imperative signals a temporary exclusion for analysis. |
| Scientific report | Researchers set aside a control plot for comparison. | A reserved plot is a physical object, not a sum of money. |
| Scheduling | The coach set aside the last ten minutes for stretching. | Time again, but measured in a routine rather than a budget. |
| Conversation | Set your phone aside and look at this. | The pronoun sits between verb and particle, as speech demands. |
| Diplomacy | Both sides set aside old grievances to sign. | The figurative sense drops a feeling rather than an object. |
Careless writers sometimes brush aside a warning, which means to dismiss it, the near opposite of setting something aside for later.
Set aside vs set apart
Set aside and set apart share the verb but not the job. The verb phrase set apart is what a coach uses to praise a player who stands out, while set aside reserves or cancels. Choosing the wrong one changes the meaning of the sentence.
| Attribute | set aside | set apart |
|---|---|---|
| Core meaning | Reserve for a purpose or cancel | Distinguish from others |
| Typical object | Money, time, a decision | Quality, talent, a place |
| Pronoun test | Set it aside | Set it apart from the rest |
| Common setting | Budgets, courts, schedules | Praise, comparisons, dedication |
| Register | Neutral, business and legal | Descriptive and literary |
Verdict: choose set aside when something is reserved or cancelled, and set apart when something is singled out as different.
Word forms and grammar of set aside
Set aside inflects on the verb set, and set never changes for past tense. Other phrasal verbs from the same base verb, such as set forth, keep their own meanings, so the particle carries the sense.
| Form | Part of speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| set aside | phrasal verb, base form | We set aside two hours for rehearsal. |
| sets aside | third person singular | The trust sets aside income each year. |
| setting aside | present participle | Setting aside time to plan saves money later. |
| set aside | past and past participle | The board set aside its objections. |
| set-aside | hyphenated noun or adjective | A farm set-aside keeps land fallow. |
| aside | particle | Aside cannot become apart without changing the meaning. |
Common mistakes with set aside
- Incorrect:
We set aside it for later.Correct: We set it aside for later. Rule: A pronoun must sit between the verb and the particle. - Incorrect:
She setted aside a small sum.Correct: She set aside a small sum. Rule: The past tense of set is set, never setted. - Incorrect:
He set aside the broken chair in the skip.Correct: He discarded the broken chair. Rule: Set aside means keep for a purpose, not throw away. - Incorrect:
Her singing set aside her from the choir.Correct: Her singing set her apart from the choir. Rule: Distinguishing someone is set apart, not set aside. - Incorrect:
The committee set aside.Correct: The committee set aside the fee. Rule: Set aside is transitive, so an object cannot be left out.
Practice using set aside
Work through the six items, then read the reasoning rather than only the answer.
- Fill the gap: The school ______ a small fund for new instruments.
- Choose the better word: The judge (set aside / set apart) the earlier ruling.
- Correct the error: Please set aside it until Monday.
- Build a sentence: use be set aside about a parking fine that was cancelled.
- Spot the register: which belongs in a formal letter — we set aside the sum, or we put a bit of cash by?
- Rewrite with a pronoun: Set aside the sandwiches for the trip.
Answers
- set — set aside takes an object, and the fund is what is reserved.
- set aside — the ruling was cancelled; set apart would mean distinguished.
- Please set it aside until Monday — the pronoun goes between verb and particle.
- Model answer: The parking fine was set aside after the driver appealed.
- We set aside the sum — a formal letter avoids the colloquial put a bit of cash by.
- Set them aside for the trip — the pronoun replaces the plural noun between verb and particle.
The bottom line
Use set aside in a sentence when money, time or a decision is reserved, kept or cancelled. The two nuances that settle most sentences are these: the particle moves after a noun object but never after a pronoun, and the word keeps rather than discards. Where the amount is a target rather than a decision, reserve funds and save say the same thing more plainly.
Frequently asked questions about set aside
Is set aside one word or two?
The verb is always two words: set aside. The single hyphenated form, set-aside, is a noun or adjective, as in a government set-aside for farmers. Keep them apart in writing, because set-aside money and set aside money mean different things grammatically even though readers understand both.
What is the past tense of set aside?
The past tense is set aside, because set is an irregular verb that does not change form. The board set aside the funds last month is correct, while setted aside is always wrong. The past participle is also set aside, which is why the passive was set aside on appeal works.
Does set aside mean the same as put aside?
In the reserving sense the two are close, and put aside is more common in speech. The difference is reach: set aside also cancels legal decisions, a job that put aside does not do. Choose put aside for conversation and set aside for budgets, rulings and formal plans.
Can set aside mean to cancel a decision?
Yes, but only when a court, tribunal or committee does the cancelling. That body sets aside a ruling, penalty or order and makes it void. A private person cannot set aside a court order; they can only appeal against it, which is why the passive form appears so often in legal reporting.
Have you ever heard the term “set aside” and wondered what it means? In simple terms, to “set aside” something is to put it aside or reserve it for a specific purpose.
This phrase is commonly used in various contexts, from setting aside time for a meeting to setting aside money for savings. Understanding how to properly set aside something can help you stay organized and focused on your goals.
7 Examples Of Set Aside Used In a Sentence For Kids
- Set aside your toys after playing.
- Please set aside your books neatly on the shelf.
- Let’s set aside some time for coloring and drawing.
- We need to set aside a space for our group activity.
- Remember to set aside your lunchbox in the designated area.
- It’s important to set aside your socks in the correct drawer.
- Don’t forget to set aside your completed homework in your bag.
14 Sentences with Set Aside Examples
- Set aside a specific time each day for studying to stay organized and focused.
- It’s important to set aside a portion of your budget for textbooks and other educational materials.
- Make sure to set aside some time for relaxation and socializing to avoid burnout.
- Set aside an emergency fund for unexpected expenses like health emergencies or transportation issues.
- Don’t forget to set aside money for extracurricular activities or clubs that interest you.
- Set aside a quiet space in your dorm or home for studying without distractions.
- Remember to set aside time for physical activity to help manage stress and stay healthy.
- It’s crucial to set aside time for meal planning and preparation to maintain a balanced diet.
- Be sure to set aside time for internships or part-time work to gain practical experience.
- Set aside a portion of your income for savings to build a financial safety net.
- Set aside specific days for exam preparation to ensure you cover all the material thoroughly.
- Prioritize important tasks and set aside less urgent ones for later to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Don’t hesitate to set aside a study group session to collaborate with peers and improve understanding.
- It’s essential to set aside some personal time for self-care and relaxation to recharge your mind and body.
How To Use Set Aside in Sentences?
To Set Aside means to save something for a specific purpose or to reserve it for future use.
Here is a helpful guide on how to use Set Aside in a sentence:
- Set Aside some money from your paycheck each month for savings.
- She decided to Set Aside some time each day to exercise and take care of her health.
- We should Set Aside a portion of the budget for unexpected expenses.
- They will Set Aside the best seats for VIP guests at the event.
- Make sure to Set Aside some cookies for dessert before the kids eat them all.
Remember, when using Set Aside in a sentence, you are referring to putting something aside or reserving it for a specific purpose. This can be anything from money, time, resources, or even physical objects.
By incorporating Set Aside into your vocabulary and daily life, you can better plan and organize your resources for future needs or goals. This practice can help you stay disciplined, focused, and prepared for whatever may come your way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the concept of setting aside something, such as time, money, or resources, is essential for achieving goals and maintaining balance in life. By consciously setting aside time for exercise, saving money for a rainy day, or putting aside resources for a future project, individuals can better organize their priorities and work towards their desired outcomes. It is a proactive approach that allows for focus and direction, leading to increased productivity and success in various aspects of life.
Whether it is setting aside funds for a specific purpose, allocating time for self-care, or reserving energy for important tasks, the act of consciously setting aside resources can help individuals stay on track and make progress towards their long-term objectives. By being intentional about what we choose to set aside, we can better manage our responsibilities, prioritize our commitments, and ultimately lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.
