Is setup one word

When do you use setup vs. set up?

It’s an easy mistake to make when you are writing in a hurry.

But there’s a simple way to remember how to use setup vs. set up correctly.

All you need to do is know that one is a noun and adjective, and the other is a verb.

Setup is a noun

It indicates the way in which something, especially an organization or equipment, is organized, planned, or arranged.

Set up is a verb

It says to place or to erect something in position.

However, there are differences between British and American English usage.

When is set-up hyphenated?

In US English, the word setup is usually a single word.

But in British English, you often see it hyphenated as set-up.

Both are correct for the noun and adjective forms of the word.

But it is more common to see the single word form used.

When do you use setup?

When is set up one word? If it’s a noun and it is easy to recognize.

There will always be an article before it, and it can take an adjective.

It can also use the quantifier, some, instead of an article.

You use either a setup or the setup to indicate that something is arranged, planned, or organized.

Here are some examples to show you how easy it is to get it right.

Under the current setup, two co-directors run the company.

What a setup he has for his new patio and barbeque.

The hotel changed the setup of the ballroom for the wedding.

He tried a new setup for his drum kit.

You can also use the noun to indicate a trick or scheme to deceive someone.

They wanted me out. The meeting was a setup to get rid of me.

The criminals fell for the setup the police had planned.

Although less common, you can use setup as an adjective.

The setup instructions were very confusing.

The computer program came with a whole host of setup tools.

He had some setup problems with his new phone, so he took it back to the store.

It’s worth noting that you could also use set-up and be perfectly correct in all these examples.

When do you use set up?

Set up is a verb, and in fact, a phrasal verb.

Because of this, both the root verb (set) and the particle (up) are necessary for meaning.

Also, phrasal verbs never take a hyphen, so you won’t confuse it with the noun.

As with most phrasal verbs, you can insert a pronoun between the root verb and particle. (Set it up.)

You can use it in any verb phrase form or tense construction.

You use it when you want to indicate that something is in place, to erect, or to assemble.

Here are some examples to show you.

After you buy a new phone, you need to set it up correctly.

The roadies set up the stage for the band in less than an hour.

They had set up the chairs for the wedding in the garden but had to change plans because it rained.

I’m going to set up a new bank account for my son.

My father retired last year but now says he might set up a new business.

Brian is setting up the new computer for his daughter.

Summary

It’s easy to make sure you don’t make a mistake with the words setup vs set up.

Is setup one word or two?

Simply remember that the verb is two words, and the noun or adjective is one word or hyphenated.

Other words related to this issue include to make up and makeup or to change over and changeover.

You can find a list of the most common phrasal verbs vs. nouns in this word set list prepared by Washington State University.

For most writers, a quick check with an online grammar checker should give you the correct form to use if you are in any doubt.

Related reading: Death Throes Or Death Throws – Here’s How To Get It Right

Two words as a verb, one word as an adjective and a noun. Don’t hyphenate. Capitalize Setup when it refers to the Setup program. Unpack everything before you set up your computer.

Which is correct set up or setup?

Setup is a noun that refers to an arrangement. Set up is a phrasal verb that refers to making preparations for something.

What does it mean teardown?

1a : to cause to decompose or disintegrate. b : vilify, denigrate trying to tear down his reputation. 2 : to take apart : disassemble tear down an engine. Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About teardown.

Is being set up meaning?

a situation in which someone is tricked into doing something or is made to seem guilty of something they did not do: When drugs were found in her luggage, she claimed it was a set-up.

What a set up?

set-up noun (TRICK) a situation in which someone is tricked into doing something or is made to seem guilty of something they did not do: When drugs were found in her luggage, she claimed it was a set-up.

Is set-up a phrasal verb?

SET UP (phrasal verb) definition and synonyms | Macmillan Dictionary.

What is set-up example?

Setup is defined as the way in which something is arranged, or a contest where the victory is predetermined because the two contestants are not evenly matched. An example of a setup is how food and drinks are arranged at a party. An example of a setup is when a strong debater is matched with a weak debater.

Is set up a phrasal verb?

Is setup one word or two words or hyphenated?

Setup is one word when it is a noun (e.g., “it was a setup!”) or an adjective (e.g., “follow the setup instructions”). It is two words- set up- when it functions as a verb (e.g., “I’m going to set up the computer”). Some writers and publishers use set-up, with a hyphen, instead of setup.

What is another way of saying set up?

“set up an election”. Synonyms: tack together, ensnare, assemble, put, put up, install, set, put together, arrange, frame, found, lay out, tack, instal, launch, put in, effect, gear up, order, effectuate, entrap, rear, pitch, fix, ready, piece, rig, establish, erect, raise, prepare.

Is set up hyphenated?

The noun setup is usually styled as a solid compound (that is, as a single word) in American English and as a hyphenated compound (set-up) in British English.

Is setup a verb?

“Setup”. Is Not a Verb. Despite what many people –mostly in the computer field– think, “setup” is not a verb. It’s simply not. Whether or not “setup” is a word at all may spark a debate in some circles, but assuming it is then it may act as many parts of speech, but not as a verb.

Asked by: Jailyn Marvin

Score: 4.9/5
(20 votes)

Should I use setup or set up?

Is setup one word or two words?

Two words as a verb, one word as an adjective and a noun. Don’t hyphenate. Capitalize Setup when it refers to the Setup program. Unpack everything before you set up your computer.

Which is correct set up or setup?

Set-Up vs. Set Up. The noun setup is usually styled as a solid compound (that is, as a single word) in American English and as a hyphenated compound (set-up) in British English.

What a set up?

How do you use set up in a sentence?

set up in a sentence

40 related questions found

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of words in the English language that confuse writers on a daily basis. Words that sound the same, words that are spelled the same, words that have only slightly different meanings, etc.

Today’s two words are confusing because they have two different functions and meanings, yet just a single space separates them from each other.

What is the Difference Between Setup and Set up?

In this post, I will cover the differences in use and function between setup vs. set up. I will give real life examples from national newspapers and magazines, and you will be able to test your knowledge at the end with a quiz.

After reading this post, you won’t ever again think to yourself, “Should I use setup or set up?”

When to Use Setup

What does setup mean? Setup (one word) is a noun and is defined as the way in which something is constituted, arranged, or planned.

• This house has a great setup for hosting parties.
• In the setup of many present-day families, both parents are working.
• Under the current setup, Yahoo’s core assets are overshadowed by those stakes, giving Yahoo’s actual businesses a valuation of less than zero. –USA Today

Another meaning of the one-word setup is a scheme or trick intended to incriminate or deceive someone.

• He didn’t talk. The entire thing was a setup.
• The police lured the gang leader into the setup.

The one-word setup is sometimes hyphenated to appear as set-up. There is nothing wrong with this, but it much more frequently appears as a single word, especially in American English.

For point of reference, here is chart that graphs setup vs. set-up. Setup, spelled as one word, is much more common, and many popular style guides, including The AP Stylebook, list it without any hyphen.

When to use Set up

What does set up mean? Set up (two words) is a verb phrase and is used to describe the actions of putting things in order, installing software on a computer, arranging a date, creating a trap for someone, among other meanings.

• Before we play chess, we need to set up the board.
• This computer still needs to be set up with software.
• Can you set up a lunch meeting for me next week?
• You set me up didn’t you?
• He created a “smart store” that can be set up quickly and stowed just as effortlessly. –New York Post

Quiz and Sentence Examples

1. I haven’t quite finished the ______ of this computer yet.
2. I want to ______ my business here, but I can’t afford it.
3. In this video, we unbox and ______ a new iPad pro.
4. The iPad is very user friendly; its ______ is a breeze .
5. The victim helped ______ the suspect in a sting operation.

Display the answers below.

Trick to Remember the Difference

The easiest way to remember set up vs. setup is to look at how each word works in a sentence.

The one-word setup functions as a noun. A good indicator of a noun is an article. If you see a or the in front of the word in question, it’s probably a noun.

• A setup.
• The setup.

The two-word set up functions as a verb. You can usually see if it’s a verb by looking to see if another verb or the word “to” is nearby.

• To set up.
• Will set up.
• Helped to set up.

Summary

Is it set up or setup? That depends on the context of your sentence. Both words have different meanings and different functions.

Setup is a noun and means the way in which something is arranged.

Set up is a verb and refers to the action of putting things in order or arranging them.

Answers

1. Setup
2. Set up
3. Set up
4. Setup
5. Set up