Irregular verb
The verb to set
set → set → set
A2Meaning: to put something somewhere; to fix a date; to adjust an alarm · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 50 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they set·he/she/it sets - Past Simple:
set(the same as the base form!) - Past participle:
set(all three forms are the same) - -ing form:
setting(with double t)
Conjugation of the verb to set
Present Simple
| I | set |
| You | set |
| He / She / It | sets |
| We | set |
| You (pl.) | set |
| They | set |
Past Simple
| I | set |
| You | set |
| He / She / It | set |
| We | set |
| You (pl.) | set |
| They | set |
All the forms of the verb to set
Present Simple
Full pageset / sets
“I set the alarm at 7.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are setting
“I am setting the alarm right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pageset
“I set the table for dinner.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were setting
“I was setting the alarm when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has set
“I have already set the alarm.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad set
“She had already set the alarm when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill set
“I will set the alarm tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to set
“I'm going to set the alarm this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould set
“I would set the alarm if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to set
1. Putting something somewhere
- Set the table.
- She set the cup on the desk.
2. Adjusting or fixing something
Set also means to adjust a clock or an alarm, or to choose a date or a time.
- Set the alarm for 7.
- We set a date.
3. Phrasal verbs
Set up means to prepare or organise something. Set off means to start a journey, or to make an alarm start. Set out means to start a journey, or to explain ideas clearly.
- set up
- set off
- set out
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Setted ❌
Set does not change in the past: set → set → set, never setted. It works like put, cut, hit and let.
2. Set or put?
They are close in meaning. Put is more general: Put your bag on the chair. Set adds the idea of care or a clear purpose: set the table, set a date.
Going further
Conjugating to set is a key skill in the English contest
Every year, the Big Challenge tests the key English verbs. Register your students so they can check their level in a real contest.
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Practise on PLAYYou can conjugate to set. Now say it out loud.
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Related pages: set
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of set?+
The Past Simple of set is set, the same as the base form. All three forms are the same: set → set → set. It works like put, cut, hit and let.
How do you use set with an alarm?+
Say set the alarm. To add the time, use for: Set the alarm for 7 am. Set is the verb for clocks, alarms, timers and settings.
What does set up mean?+
Set up means to prepare something so it is ready to use, or to organise it. We set up the new computer in the classroom. She set up a meeting with the teacher. It is a very common phrasal verb.
Is it set or put?+
They are close in meaning. Put is the general, neutral word: Put the cup on the table. Set often means to put something carefully, in the right place. Set the table means to put plates, knives and forks on it before a meal.
Why is setting spelt with double t?+
Set is a short verb that ends in one vowel + one consonant. So you double the last consonant before -ing: set → setting. It is the same with run → running and sit → sitting.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/set
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.