Phrasal Verbs: Set out OR set off?

Question

Hello,I'm a little confused with phrasal verbs: to set out and to set off.1. When I like to say that I started     something new what do I use?    (Started playing Golf for example)2. When I like to say that I started     a journey what do I use?From the English webpages I found both is suitable but aren't there anydifferences?For question number 2 I will copy here the examples I found:- If the journey is a long one it is   best to set off in the night or   very early in the morning.- The explorers set out yesterday morning.Can I really use both phrasal verbs for the same meaning?Thanks,Marc

Chong · Accepted Answer

First, let's talk about journey.
Here are the meanings of the two phrases from Webster

set off: intransitive verb : to start out on a course or a journey <set off for home>

set out: intransitive verb : to start out on a course, a journey, or a career <set out across the country>

To see from above,when talking about journey,both of them are OK.
set off for somewhere =set out for=leave for

Then,they have other meanings seperately.
set off : a : to set in motion : cause to begin b : to cause to explode
e.g. a:set off a chemical reaction.
I had no idea that one simple comment would set off such a huge argument.
b: set off a bomb.

set out : to begin with a definite purpose : http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intend, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake

He set out to understand why the plan had failed. 
set out =set about doing

But in this sentence
Tories and Lib Dems set out science policies.
 "set out" means :to state, describe, or recite at length 

in this 
We need you to set out the chairs for the meeting
means: to arrange and present graphically or systematicall 

So in the first condition you mentioned, both of them can be used, but in different ways.
Sth set me off doing sth
or I set out to do sth

Marc2010 · Answer

Back online....

Thanks for your good answer.

Got it.

Regards,
Marc

Phrasal Verbs: Set out OR set off?

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