phrasal verb / collocation · neutral
set boundaries
/sɛt ˈbaʊndəriz/set·BOUND·ar·ies
speakingtask2
to establish limits, especially in relationships or roles
Examples
“Parents should set boundaries so children know what behaviour is acceptable.”
“At work it's important to set boundaries between personal and professional life.”
“She learned to set boundaries with colleagues after feeling overworked.”
Band 8 sentence
“To preserve productivity and wellbeing, managers must set boundaries around communication outside working hours.”
Collocations
- set boundaries with
- set clear boundaries
Word family
set verbboundary nounboundary-setting noun/phrase
Common mistakes
set boundary→set boundaries
set limit with→set boundaries with
Say it for a higher band
5limit→6set limits→7+set boundaries
Synonyms
define limits
establish boundaries
Easily confused
set limits
“Parents should set limits on screen time.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In set …
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