All set means ready, everything's prepared: The bags are packed, and we're all set for the journey. Are you all set? means 'are you ready?'. The second common meaning is 'I don't need anything else': 'Do you need another notebook?' 'No, thanks, I'm all set.' That's how people answer a waiter or a shop assistant.
Want to use all set in conversation?
Write a sentence — we'll show the mistakes right away and suggest how to say it more naturally.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
be all set; all set for + event; all set to + verb
- The bags are packed, and we're all set for the journey.
- Are you all set to start the recording?
- 'Do you need another notebook?' 'No, thanks, I'm all set.'
What changed
First versionWe're all set for leave after lunch.
RevisionWe're all set to leave after lunch.
Ready for the trip uses for, so for slips in before a verb too: all set for leave. But before a verb, all set takes to: all set to leave. Keep for for an event: all set for the trip.
All done means the work is finished. All set means the preparation is finished and you can start. Is the room all set? asks whether everything is ready for the meeting, while Is the meeting all done? asks whether it's over.
Your turn
Choose the form before an action: We are all set ___ begin.
Show the answer
to — Before the verb begin you need to: all set to begin. For goes before an event: all set for the meeting.
A friend asks whether you've packed for the camping trip. Answer in one sentence with all set.
Yes, the tent's packed and I'm all set for the weekend.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.