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set off to vs set off for

Both 'set off to' and 'set off for' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Set off to' is used when referring to the destination or direction of a journey, while 'set off for' is used when indicating the purpose or goal of the journey.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1464 views

set off to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to the destination or direction of a journey.

Use 'set off to' when you want to indicate the place or direction where someone is starting a journey.

Examples:

We set off to the mountains early in the morning.
They set off to explore the city.
She set off to visit her grandmother.
He set off to find the treasure.
The hikers set off to the north.

Show examples from the web [+]

The new king was in no hurry to pay for his ransom, and to prove this, Mortimer's cousins, the Percys, set off to Windsor, to see the King.
Hammond set off to get the groom, leaving me in a spot of bother with my new trousers.
Hammond set off to get the groom,
As Olive set off to make the best of her new life, she was sorely missed in the one she left behind.
With all that cleared up, we set off to do exploring.
Antony gathered his troops and set off to take Gaul.
Antony gathered his troops and set off to take Gaul.
Jock and I set off to deliver the Rolls to my client, Milton Krampf.
Then I fired up the two-stroke, 100cc engine and set off to London.
Michael set off to prison to tell off his father when he discovered his son.
And so he said goodbye to Polina... and set off to win back the heart of his true love.
So I set off to Zbara ¿, too.
He set off to Paris at once, but his car came off the road near Lille.
As the private eye set off to test his new theory for leaks the tall drink of water driving into the darkness remained unaware of her hidden cargo.
With the speed equipment working, I set off to disprove James' photographic evidence.
And he set off to sea, even as his mother mysteriously turned back.
You see, I didn't set off to see the world.
So a few years ago, I set off to do just that.
Once everything has been executed according to plan, the bank's alarms must be set off to simulate a burglary interrupted in progress.
The next morning, as we set off to Wales for our next challenge, all was not well in our convoy.

Alternatives:

head off to
go off to
travel to
journey to

set off for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when indicating the purpose or goal of a journey.

Use 'set off for' when you want to indicate the purpose or goal of the journey someone is starting.

Examples:

They set off for a picnic in the park.
She set off for a business meeting in the city.
He set off for a new adventure.
We set off for a day at the beach.
The team set off for the championship game.

Show examples from the web [+]

So with my grille sealed over and my tires pumped up, I set off for another run.
You must've known you were carrying the baby when we set off for the Boundary.
Set off for a weekend away with your wife in either of these cars and you'll arrive blind and with Bonnie Tyler in the passenger seat.
We will be ready to set off for Inglestone in an hour or so, Miss Lane.
How did Ari set off for the Inarijärvi?
Two hundred have already set off for Brittania.
So they became a family and set off for the city.
I'll set off for the Eath in company with our Moonling...
Before I set off for Birmingham, the car needs oil.
With my throttle still not working brilliantly, we set off for the lakes.
I stop you going to New York and then I set off for London.
If I set off for Netherfield, Miss Price, it will surely pour with rain.
Well, it wasn't very smart to set off for a boy's parents' if you've only known him for two days.
Once more an EP observer delegation set off for Ukraine, this time led by Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, a Polish Christian Democrat MEP.
I should like to bring this article to the attention of Commissioner Patten, particularly given his plans to set off for Kabul in the near future.
That, Mr President, is meant as a reminder to those who still intend to set off for Beijing.
Moreover, most Members set off for their constituencies on Thursday afternoons, and many have to travel for several hours before they reach home.
Beltrán and his sons, after ending their night vigil and their dawn delivery, set off for their village, Manicuare, six miles from the salt marsh.
I received orders to set off for Rome immediately then I thought:
I feel like Daisy Duke.'... we set off for Tewkesbury.'

Alternatives:

head off for
go off for
travel for
journey for

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