Common verbs and their uses

Common verbs
APUT
put
[ T + adv/prep ] to move something or someone into the stated place,position,
or direction:
Where have you put the keys?
Put your clothes in the cupboard.
He put salt into the sugar bowl by mistake.
She put her bag on the table.
She put her hands over her eyes.
I put my arm around him to comfort him.
We always put the cat out (= outside the house) at night.
Every night, she puts out her clothes (= takes them from where they are kept so that
they are ready) for the next day.
If we put the chairs a little closer together (= move them nearer to each other), we
should be able to get another one around the table.
If you put together (= mix) yellow and blue paint you get green.
The prisoners were put up against (= moved into a position next to) a wall and shot.
More examples
 I've put the beer in the fridge to chill.

 Why don't we put the bed against the wall?
 Aha, that's where I put my keys!
 Throw your gun down and put your hands in the air.
 I emptied the closet and put my belongings into the black overnight case.
put verb (WRITE)
A2 [ T + adv/prep ] to write something:

She puts her name in all her books.
Put an X next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for.
I've put the date of the party down in my diary.
He asked me to put my objections (down) on paper.
It was an interesting article but I wish they'd
put in more information (= included more information) about the costs.
More examples
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
put verb (EXPRESS)
C2 [ T usually + adv/prep ] to express something in words:

She wanted to tell him that she didn't want to see him any more, but she
didn't knowhow to put it.
We're going to have to work very hard, but as Chris so succinctly put it, there's
no gain without pain.
Why do you always have to put things so crudely?
Has everyone had a chance to put their point of view?
put a price/value/figure on sth
to say what you think the price or value of something is:

The agent has put a price of £720,000 on our house.
You can't put a value on friendship (= say what it is worth).
to put it bluntly, simply, mildly, etc.

used to describe the way you are expressing an event oropinion:
To put it bluntly, you're going to have to improve.
He was annoyed, to put it mildly (= he was very annoyed).

More examples
put verb (CONDITION)
B2 [ T ] to cause someone or something to be in the stated condition orsituation:

Are you prepared to put your children at risk?
This puts me in a very difficult position.
What has put you in such a bad mood?
This election is a chance for the country to put a new government in (= elect a
new government).
It's broken into so many pieces, it'll be impossible to put it back
together again (= repair it).
Let's give her the chance to put her ideas into practice.
The terrorists were put on trial (= their case was judged in
a court of law) six yearsafter the bombing.
Wilson was put out (of the competition) (= was defeated) by Clarke in the second
round.
[ + adj ] How much did it cost to have the television put right (= repaired)?
I originally thought he was Australian, but he soon put
me straight (= corrected me)and explained he was from New Zealand.
I know she's gone forever, but I just can't put her out of my mind/head (= forget her).
He's putting me under pressure to change my mind.
put verb (OPERATION)
[ T usually + adv/prep ] to bring into operation; to cause to be used:
When the drugs failed to cure her, she put her faith/trust in herbal medicine.
The school puts a lot of emphasis on teaching children to read and write.
He's putting pressure on me to change my mind.
The events of the last few weeks have put a real strain on him.
In the story of Sleeping Beauty, the wicked fairy puts a spell/curse (US hex) on
the baby princess.
You know it was your fault, so don't try to put the blame on anyone else.
The government is expected to put a new tax on cars.
The new tax will put 15 percent on fuel prices (= increase them by 15 percent).
She's never put a bet/money on a race before.
He put everything he had into (= he used all
his abilities and strength in) the finalgame.
The more you put into something, the more you get out of it (= the harder you work at
something, the more satisfying it is).
They put (= invested) a lot of money into the family business.
The president is trying to put through (= bring into operation) reforms of the
country's economic system.
They've got to put an end to/a stop to their fighting (= to stop fighting).
put verb (JUDGE)
[ T + adv/prep ] to judge something or someone in comparison with

othersimilar things or people:
I'd put him among the top six tennis players of all time.
Drama critics have put her on a level/par with the great Shakespearean actresses.
He always puts the needs of his family first/last (= they are the
most/least importantthing to him).
put verb (SAIL)
[ I + adv/prep ] to travel in a boat or ship across the sea:

Our mast broke, so we had to put about (= turn round) and return to port.
The ship put in at (= stopped at) Cape Town for fresh supplies.
We put to sea (= began our journey by sea) at dawn.
2,to cause someone or something to be in a particular situation or state

A great goal put Liverpool ahead.
put someone in a difficult/awkward/embarrassing position:
I wishyou hadn’t told me – it puts me in a really difficult position.
put someone/something at risk/in jeopardy/in danger:
Several jobshave been put in jeopardy as a result of the merger.
put someone in charge/control/command (of someone/something):
She was put in charge of the marketing department.
put someone under pressure/strain/stress (=make someone feel worried and unable to
relax):
I hate being put under so much pressure.
put someone to work:
He was put to work filing all the papers.
put someone out of business/out of work/out of a job (=make them lose their job or
business):
Supermarkets have put many smallershops out of business.
put someone in a good/bad mood (=make someone feel happy/annoyed):
That argument put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day.
put something into practice/effect/action/operation etc (=make it start working):
There has been a lot of criticism of the way the proposals were put into effect.
put someone at a disadvantage:
The law puts farmers in this country at a disadvantage
put something cleverly/succinctly/well:
She put it very well when she described him as ‘brilliant but lazy’.
put something in/on etc something:
There are plans to put ten newhouses on the site.
We decided to put the office upstairs.
put someone/something among/as/in something:
I’d put Monet among the best artists of the century.
They’re so different, you can’t even put them in the same category.
put someone/something before/over/above -
to consider someone or something as being more important than someone or something else
The company had been accused of putting profits before safety.
PHRASES
 as someone puts it
 how shall I put it?/let me put it this way
 I couldn’t have put it better myself
 not know where to put yourself
 put someone/something before/over/above
 put something behind you
 put someone/something first
 put your name/signature to something
 put a price/value etc on something
 put simply/simply put
 put a stop/end to something
 put someone straight/right (on/about something)
 put someone on a train/plane/bus etc
 put something into words
 put something in writing
 put yourself in someone’s place/position
 to put it another way
 to put it bluntly
 to put it in a nutshell
 to put it mildly
setverb
UK /set/ US /set/ PRESENT PARTICIPLE setting, PAST TENSE AND PAST PARTICIPLE set
set verb (POSITION)
B2 [ T usually + adv/prep ] to put something in a particular place or position:

He set a vase of flowers on the table.
The campsite is set in the middle of a pine forest.
Our house is set back from the road.
B1 [ T usually + adv/prep ] If a story, film, etc. is set in a particular time orplace,

the action in it happens in that time or place:
"West Side Story" is set in New York City in the late 1950s.
More examples
 He set the books down on the table.

 She set the tray down beside me.
 Finish chopping the onions and set them to one side.
 The building itself is set back from the street.
 The mansion is set in 90 acres of beautiful, unspoilt countryside.
set verb (CONDITION)
B2 [ T ] to cause something or someone to be in the stated condition orsituation:

It is believed that the building was set alight/ablaze/on fire deliberately.
The new director has set a lot of changes in motion in our department.

[ + adj ] After years in prison, the men who had wrongfully been found guilty of
the bombing were finally set free.
If I've made a mistake, then it's up to me to set it right (= correct it).
set sb/sth doing sth
to cause someone or something to start doing something:

His remarks set me thinking.
The thunderstorm set the radio crackling.
set sb to work
to give someone work to do:

I was set to work dusting the bookshelves.
More examples
set verb (ESTABLISH)
B2 [ T ] to establish or decide something:
The school has been criticized for failing to set high standards for its students.
The committee has set new limits on spending.
Lewis has set a new world record.
The court's decision has set a legal precedent.
Parents should set a good example to their children.
He's set himself the goal/target of making his first million by the time he's 30.
More examples
set verb (GET READY)
B2 [ T ] to get something ready so that it comes into operation or can be used:
[ + to infinitive ] The heating is set to come on at 5 p.m.
Have you set up the DVD player?
I usually set my watch by the time on the computer.
He set the alarm for 7 a.m.
Will you set the table (= put plates, knives, forks, etc. on it ready for use), please?
[ T ] to put furniture and other things on a stage so that it represents thetime and

the place in which the action of a play, film, or televisionprogramme is going
to happen:
During the interval the stage was set for the second act.
More examples
set verb (FIX)
B1 [ T ] to fix or make certain:
Has a date/time been set for the meeting yet?
The price of the house has been set at €425,000.
set into sth/be set with sth
If a precious stone is set in/into a piece of jewellery, or a pieceof jewellery is set

with a precious stone, the stone is fixed firmlyto the piece of jewellery:
a gold ring with a diamond set into it
a brooch set with rubies and pearls
[ T ] When a doctor sets a broken bone, he or she puts it into the rightposition so
that it will heal.
[ I ] When a broken bone sets, it heals in a particular position.
[ T ] If you have your hair set, you have it arranged while it is wet so that it will be

in a particular style when it is dry.
[ T ] If you set a part of your body, you tighten the muscles around it inorder to

show that you are determined about something:
"I'm never going back to him," she said, setting her jaw firmly.
His face was set in determination.
[ I ] If a liquid or soft material sets, it becomes firm or hard:

Leave the jelly in the fridge to set.
Don't walk on the concrete until it has set.
More examples
set verb (GIVE WORK)
B2 UK US assign [ T ] to give someone a piece of school work orhomework to do:

My science teacher always sets a lot of homework.
What books have been set for this term?
[ + two objects ] What homework have you been set for the holidays?
[ T ] to give someone a particular task to do:

Harry set them to work painting the walls.
[ + two objects ] We set the kids the task of clearing the snow from the drive.
set verb (MUSIC)
[ T ] to write or provide music for a poem or other words so that they can be sung:
poems set to music
set verb (SUN)
B1 [ I ] (of the sun, moon, or planets) to go down below the horizon (= the line at

which the earth seems to join the sky):
We sat on the beach and watched the sun set.
The setting sun cast long shadows across the lawn.
See also
sunset
Idiom(s)
not set the world on fire
set the scene/stage
Phrasal verb(s)
set about sth
set about sb
set sb against sb
set sth against sth
set sth/sb apart
set sth aside
set sb back (sth)
set sth/sb back
set sth back
set sth down
set sb down
set sth forth
set in
set off/out
set sth off
set sb off
set sb/sth on sb
set on/upon sb
set out
set sth out
set to
set sth up
set sb up
set sth/sb up
set (sth) up
set yourself up as sth
Menu
1. put someone/something somewhere
2. make something happen
3. make equipment ready
4. decide time/place/value
5. establish way to do something
6. do something that influences
7. give someone something to do
8. put story in time/place
9. when sun goes down
10. join broken bone
11. liquid: become solid
12. have fixed expression
13. arrange wet hair
14. arrange letters to print
15. put jewel in jewellery
16. +phrases
17. +phrasal verbs

1. 1
[TRANSITIVE] to put someone or something in a position
set someone/something in/into/on/down/back etc:
‘Tea’s ready,’ he told them and set down the tray.

She set the baby on the floor to play.
Synonyms and related words
General words meaning to put something somewhere:put, place, position...
Explore Thesaurus
1. a.
[TRANSITIVE] [USUALLY PASSIVE] if something is set somewhere, it is in that place or position
It’s a traditional country house hotel, set in its own parklands.

The bookcase was set into the wall.
Our house is set back from the road.
To be in a particular position or place:occupy, set, exist...
Explore Thesaurus
2. b.
to put someone or something in a particular state
The suspect has been accused of setting the restaurant on fire.

set someone/something loose:
Don’t set the dog loose.

set someone/something free:
The hostages have been set freeafter 34 days in captivity.

To have an effect:shape, impact, affect...
Explore Thesaurus
2. 2
[TRANSITIVE] to make something happen, or to make someone do something
set someone/something doing something:
His mysterious phonecalls were bound to set them wondering.

set something in motion:
That single photograph set his career as a photographer in motion.

To make something start to exist or happen:bring about, trigger, form...
Explore Thesaurus
3. 3
[TRANSITIVE] to make a piece of equipment ready to operate
The bomb was set to go off at eight o’clock.

You can set it so that it does an automatic data backup at the end of each day.
To connect or disconnect a machine or piece of equipment: alarm, attach, automate...
Explore Thesaurus
1. a.
to change the time on a clock or the controls on a piece of equipment
Can you help me set the VCR?

set something at something:
Set the thermostat at 68 degrees.
set something for something:
I’m setting the alarm for 6.30.
Using clocks and watches:clock in, clock off, go back...
Explore Thesaurus
4. 4
[TRANSITIVE] to decide when or where an event will happen
set a date/time (for something):
Have they set a date for the wedding?

To organize an event:organize, prepare, plan...
Explore Thesaurus
1. a.
to decide the price or value of something
They set the price of the house too high.

The central bank is responsible for setting interest rates.
Parents shouldn’t set too high a value on good exam results.
Bail was set at £50,000.
Setting, controlling and changing prices and costs:bargain, beat down, bottom out...
Explore Thesaurus
5. 5
[TRANSITIVE] to establish a rule, standard, limit etc that people must follow
The agreement sets clear targets and timetables for the reduction of carbon emissions.
set rules/conditions/guidelines/limits/criteria (for something):
Opposition parties have set conditions for peace negotiations to begin.
set standards:
Their teacher sets high standards and expects everyone to meet them.
To limit or control something or someone:draw a line in the sand, limit, control...
Explore Thesaurus
6. 6
[TRANSITIVE] to
do something that influences the way that other thingsare done or the way that
other people behave
set a tone/pattern/fashion/trend (for something):
Her openingremarks set the tone for the whole conference.

It was one of the shows that set the trend for ‘reality television’.
To have an effect:shape, impact, affect...
Explore Thesaurus
7. 7
[TRANSITIVE] to give something to someone to do or to achieve
set someone a goal/challenge/objective/task:
You’ll never get anywhere if you don’t set yourself any goals.

set someone to do something:
I’ve set myself to find a new job by Christmas.

To tell people what to do:order, order around, tell...
Explore Thesaurus
1. a.
EDUCATION BRITISH to give students work to do as part of a courseof study
set someone something:
I’m going to set you all an essay for the weekend.

To teach someone something:upskill, teach, train...
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2. b.
EDUCATION BRITISH to produce questions or an examination paperfor students to answer
They set us an absolutely impossible paper.
General words for exams and taking exams:assessment, borderline, candidate...
Explore Thesaurus
8. 8
[TRANSITIVE] [USUALLY PASSIVE] to write or produce a play, book, film etc that happens in
a particular time or place
The film is set in 18th-century New England.

To write something:write, set down, compose...
Explore Thesaurus
Film-making and theatre production:animation, behind the scenes, cine-film...
Explore Thesaurus
9. 9
[INTRANSITIVE] when the sun sets, it goes below the horizon at the endof the day
The movement of the sun, moon and stars:rise, go down, eclipse...
Explore Thesaurus
10. 10
[TRANSITIVE] toput the two ends of a broken bone back into the correctposition so that they
can grow into one piece again
The doctor set my arm and put a cast on it.

To perform a medical test, treatment or operation:anaesthetise, anaesthetize, anesthetize...
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1. a.
[INTRANSITIVE] if a broken bone sets, the two ends of it grow into one piece again

Bones and joints in the body:ankle, backbone, ball-and-socket joint...
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11. 11
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] if a liquid sets, or if you set it, it forms a solidsubstance
a type of concrete that sets in 15 minutes
To change consistency:atomise, atomize, bake...
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12. 12
[INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] ifyour face or a part of it sets into a particularexpression, or if you set it into
a particular expression, you have that expression on your face
His face set into a determined expression as he read the letter.

To show, or to be expressed in the face or eyes:clear, crease, creep...
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To make a particular facial expression:bug out, curl your lip, frown...
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13. 13
[TRANSITIVE] to arrange wet hair in a particular style so that it keeps that style when it becomes dry
Hairdressers and hairdressing:backcomb, barbershop, blow-dry...
Explore Thesaurus
14. 14
[TRANSITIVE] to arrange letters and words on a special machine into the correct order so that you
can print something
Printing and fonts and print layout:bold, bold, CamelCase...

Explore Thesaurus
15. 15
[TRANSITIVE] [USUALLY PASSIVE] to put a jewel or stone in a piece of jewellery
a necklace set with rubies
Parts of jewellery and jewels:bead, charm, clasp...
Explore Thesaurus
PHRASES
 set the stage for something

 set the standard
 set the table
 set someone to work
 set to work

Common verbs and their uses

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Common verbs and their uses

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Common verbs

 I've put the beer in the fridge to chill.

A2 [ T + adv/prep ] to write something:

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

C2 [ T usually + adv/prep ] to express something in words:

put a price/value/figure on sth

to say what you think the price or value of something is:

You can't put a value on friendship (= say what it is worth).

to put it bluntly, simply, mildly, etc.

He was annoyed, to put it mildly (= he was very annoyed).

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

B2 [ T ] to cause someone or something to be in the stated condition orsituation:

[ T + adv/prep ] to judge something or someone in comparison with

[ I + adv/prep ] to travel in a boat or ship across the sea:

2,to cause someone or something to be in a particular situation or state

UK /set/ US /set/ PRESENT PARTICIPLE setting, PAST TENSE AND PAST PARTICIPLE set

B2 [ T usually + adv/prep ] to put something in a particular place or position:

The campsite is set in the middle of a pine forest.

Our house is set back from the road.

B1 [ T usually + adv/prep ] If a story, film, etc. is set in a particular time orplace,

 He set the books down on the table.

B2 [ T ] to cause something or someone to be in the stated condition orsituation:

The new director has set a lot of changes in motion in our department.

If I've made a mistake, then it's up to me to set it right (= correct it).

to cause someone or something to start doing something:

to give someone work to do:

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

The school has been criticized for failing to set high standards for its students.

The committee has set new limits on spending.

Lewis has set a new world record.

The court's decision has set a legal precedent.

Parents should set a good example to their children.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Have you set up the DVD player?

I usually set my watch by the time on the computer.

He set the alarm for 7 a.m.

Will you set the table (= put plates, knives, forks, etc. on it ready for use), please?

[ T ] to put furniture and other things on a stage so that it represents thetime and

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

The price of the house has been set at €425,000.

set into sth/be set with sth

If a precious stone is set in/into a piece of jewellery, or a pieceof jewellery is set

[ I ] When a broken bone sets, it heals in a particular position.

[ T ] If you have your hair set, you have it arranged while it is wet so that it will be

[ T ] If you set a part of your body, you tighten the muscles around it inorder to

His face was set in determination.

[ I ] If a liquid or soft material sets, it becomes firm or hard:

Don't walk on the concrete until it has set.

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

B2 UK US assign [ T ] to give someone a piece of school work orhomework to do:

What books have been set for this term?

[ + two objects ] What homework have you been set for the holidays?

[ T ] to give someone a particular task to do:

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

B1 [ I ] (of the sun, moon, or planets) to go down below the horizon (= the line at

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

not set the world on fire

set the scene/stage

set someone/something in/into/on/down/back etc:

‘Tea’s ready,’ he told them and set down the tray.

General words meaning to put something somewhere:put, place, position...