phrasal verb · academic
set in motion
UK/sɛt ɪn ˈməʊʃən/US/sɛt ɪn ˈmoʊʃən/set·in·MO·tion
task2speaking
to start a process or series of events
Examples
“The new law set in motion reforms across the sector.”
“Her speech set in motion a public debate about funding.”
“The merger set in motion a complete restructuring of the company.”
Band 8 sentence
“The new regulatory framework could set in motion a number of structural reforms that vocational education has long needed.”
Collocations
- set in motion reforms
- set the wheels in motion
- set in motion a programme/policy
Word family
set in motion (v) verb phrasesets in motion (v) verb phrase (3rd sg)set the process in motion (v) verb phrase
Common mistakes
set motion→set in motion
start the motion→set in motion
set off reforms→set in motion reforms
Say it for a higher band
5start→6initiate→7+set in motion
Synonyms
initiate
trigger
Easily confused
set off
“A small spark can set off an explosion.”
Related words
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