📝 Daily Short Practice
🎯 Vocabulary Goal
You will practise using the phrasal verbs set out, put forward and back up confidently to express plans, proposals and support in professional and everyday situations.
📚 Words & Phrases
| Word or phrase | Simple meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
set out |
to explain or describe something clearly, or to start a journey or project | She set out her plan clearly at the meeting so everyone understood the objectives. |
|
put forward |
to suggest an idea or plan for consideration or discussion | During the conference, he put forward a new strategy to increase sales. |
|
back up |
to support or prove something with evidence or reasons | The lawyer backed up her argument with strong evidence from the case files. |
🔍 See It in Context
Discussing a Project Proposal
Emma set out the objectives of the new project during the team meeting. She then put forward several ideas to improve efficiency. When some colleagues expressed doubts, she backed up her suggestions with recent data from market research. The team appreciated how clearly she set out the plan and decided to put forward a formal proposal to management. Everyone agreed that backing up proposals with facts is essential for success.
💡 Notice the Pattern
How set out and put forward differ
Use set out when you explain something clearly or lay out details, often in writing or speech. Use put forward to emphasize suggesting or proposing an idea for others to consider.
- She set out the steps to complete the project in the report.
- He put forward a suggestion to improve customer service.
💬 Useful Examples
- Please set out your main arguments in the presentation slides.
- They put forward a proposal to change the meeting schedule.
- Can you back up your claims with recent studies or examples?
- He set out early in the morning to visit the client’s office.
✏️ Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1.
The manager clearly ____ the new policy during the briefing (put forward / back up / set out).
2.
She ____ an alternative idea to improve the project’s outcomes (put forward / back up / set out).
3.
The scientist ____ her theory with detailed experimental results (set out / backed up / put forward).
4.
Before we decide, please ____ your reasons for the proposal (back up / put forward / set out).
5.
During the meeting, he ____ his concerns about the current strategy (put forward / back up / set out).
🔗 Exercise 2 – Matching
1.
set out
2.
She backed up her argument with data.
3.
put forward
4.
He put forward a solution during the discussion.
5.
They set out the project goals in the document.
✅ Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1.
Which phrasal verb means to explain something clearly, often in writing or speech?
2.
If you suggest an idea for a new marketing campaign, which phrasal verb do you use?
3.
Which phrasal verb would you use if you provide evidence to support your argument?
4.
When someone organizes their thoughts clearly to explain a proposal, they usually:
5.
Choosing the correct phrasal verb: At the conference, he ____ a plan to reduce costs.
📝 Use It Yourself
Write 2–3 sentences explaining a plan you want to set out and put forward, and how you would back up your ideas.
Example:
I want to set out a clear plan to improve our customer service. Then, I will put forward this idea to the management team. To back up my proposal, I will show recent survey results that highlight customer satisfaction trends.
🎙️ Speaking Practice
Practice these sentences aloud.
Say:
I will set out the project goals before we start.
Say:
She put forward an interesting idea during the meeting.
Say:
Please back up your argument with evidence.
Ask:
Can you put forward a solution to this problem?
🔎 Answer Key
Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks
1. set out
2. put forward
3. backed up
4. set out
5. put forward
Exercise 2 – Matching
1. b – explain information clearly or start a plan
2. c – support something with evidence
3. d – suggest or propose an idea
4. e – propose an idea for consideration
5. a – explain details clearly
Exercise 3 – Multiple Choice
1. set out
2. put forward
3. back up
4. set out
5. put forward