Below you will find one of the uses of the phrasal verb 'set out to' which you are likely to find used in the Cambridge Advanced exam.

In addition to the meaning/definition, you will also find two examples of it being used with this meaning (to help you better understand its use and the context it is used in).

In order to remember this use, make sure to make an example in your own words with the phrasal verb.

Use

To say what the original aim/purpose was when you decided or started to do something.

When we started the company 25 years ago, we SET OUT TO revolutionize the fashion industry. Obviously, we didn't achieve that goal, but we did succeed in creating a profitable business.

When he started making YouTube videos, he SET OUT TO become a famous YouTuber. However, the more videos he made, the more he realised he loved making the videos rather than actually being in them.

Click here to watch a YouTube video on this meaning of the phrasal verb


Return to the list of 50 commonly phrasal verbs in the CAE exam.