What Does “Set sb back sth” Mean?
“Set sb back sth” means to cost someone a certain amount of money. It is used when talking about how much money something requires or costs.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “set sb back sth” is commonly used in English to talk about expenses or costs. When you say something “sets you back” a certain amount, you are explaining how much money you need to pay. For example, buying a new phone might set you back $500, meaning it costs you $500. Understanding the “set sb back sth meaning” helps you discuss prices and costs clearly in daily life and business conversations.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: set somebody back something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To cost someone a certain amount of money
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Set sb back sth” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object (sb) and the amount (sth) in the sentence clearly.
- Subject + set + somebody + back + something
- Example: The new laptop set me back $1,200.
Note: You cannot separate “set” and “back” with the amount.
How to Use Set sb back sth?
Use this phrase when talking about how much money something costs you or someone else. It is often used in informal and formal conversations.
- Talk about purchases: “That car will set you back a lot.”
- Discuss expenses: “The repairs set us back several hundred dollars.”
- Describe prices: “This vacation set me back a small fortune.”
Examples
Here are some examples of “set sb back sth in a sentence” to help you understand its use:
- Buying the new camera set me back $350.
- The concert tickets set us back quite a bit, but it was worth it.
- Replacing the broken window will set the landlord back around $200.
- The fancy dinner set them back a good amount of money.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse the word order or use the phrase incorrectly. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: The phone set back me $600.
- Correct: The phone set me back $600.
- Incorrect: It set back me $50.
- Correct: It set me back $50.
Remember, the object (sb) must come immediately after “set,” followed by “back” and then the amount.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “cost sb sth” and “charge sb sth.”
- Cost sb sth: More formal and direct. Example: It cost me $100.
- Charge sb sth: Usually used when someone demands payment. Example: They charged me $50 for delivery.
- Set sb back sth: More informal, often used to emphasize the expense or surprise at the cost.
Common Collocations
When using “set sb back sth,” certain objects (amounts or items) often appear together. Here are some common collocations:
- Set sb back a lot of money: Emphasizes a large cost.
- Set sb back hundreds/thousands of dollars: Specifies the amount.
- Set sb back a small fortune: Means something is very expensive.
- Set sb back a few bucks/pounds: Informal way to say it costs a small amount.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of set sb back sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation showing how “set sb back sth” is used naturally:
Anna: I just bought a new phone!
Mark: Nice! Did it set you back a lot?
Anna: Yeah, it set me back about $800, but it’s really good.
Mark: Sounds expensive, but worth it if it works well.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “set sb back sth”:
- Buying the tickets __________ me __________ $45.
- The new sofa __________ them __________ a small fortune.
- Fixing the car __________ us __________ several hundred dollars.
FAQ
- Q: Is “set sb back sth” formal or informal?
A: It is mostly informal but can be used in formal contexts too. - Q: Can I use “set sb back” without an amount?
A: Usually, you include the amount to show the cost. - Q: What is the difference between “cost” and “set sb back”?
A: “Cost” is more neutral, while “set sb back” often highlights the expense. - Q: Can I say “set me back”?
A: Yes, “set me back” is a common way to say something cost you money. - Q: Is “set sb back sth” separable?
A: Yes, you can separate the person and the cost, but not the verb and “back.”
