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A2At the Airport

Set Off: Talking About Your Airport Journey

Phrasal Verb: set off |Grammar: Past Simple

Objective

Students will learn how to use the phrasal verb 'set off' in the past simple tense to describe the start of a journey from the airport.

Article

Last Saturday, I set off early in the morning to catch my flight. I set off from my house at 5 a.m. because I wanted to arrive at the airport on time. The roads were quiet, so I set off without any delay. When I arrived, I checked in and waited for my flight. After I set off from the airport, the plane flew over the mountains and seas. Setting off on a trip always makes me feel excited. This time, I set off with my family, and we had a great adventure.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

The phrasal verb 'set off' means to begin a journey or start travelling.

Grammar Note

We use the past simple tense to talk about completed actions in the past, such as when someone began their journey.

Usage Tips

  • Use 'set off' to describe the exact time or moment when a trip starts.
  • Remember to use the past form 'set off' (the same as the base form) for past events.
  • You can use 'set off' with places, e.g., 'set off from the airport' or 'set off on a trip.'

Examples

We set off from the airport at 7 a.m. yesterday.

Describing when the journey began

She set off early to avoid traffic.

Talking about leaving early

They set off on their holiday last weekend.

Starting a holiday trip

I set off with my friends after checking in.

Beginning a journey with friends

The plane set off from the runway on time.

The plane started its flight

Dialogue

Context: Two friends talk about their trip starting at the airport.

A:
When did you set off from the airport?
B:
We set off at 8 a.m. last Sunday.
A:
Was the airport busy when you set off?
B:
No, it was quite calm early in the morning.
A:
Did you set off with your family?
B:
Yes, we set off together and had a lovely trip.

Vocabulary

airport
A place where planes take off and land
Example: I arrived at the airport two hours before my flight.
Synonym: airfield
flight
A journey in an airplane
Example: Our flight set off on time.
Synonym: airplane trip
journey
The act of travelling from one place to another
Example: The journey started at the airport.
Synonym: trip
check-in
The process of confirming your arrival at the airport
Example: We completed check-in before setting off.
Synonym: registration
boarding gate
The place where passengers get on the plane
Example: We waited at the boarding gate before the flight.
Synonym: gate
departure
The act of leaving a place, especially by plane
Example: Our departure was early in the morning.
Synonym: leaving
luggage
Bags and suitcases for travel
Example: I packed my luggage the night before.
Synonym: baggage
passport
An official document for international travel
Example: I showed my passport at the airport.
Synonym: ID
delay
When something happens later than planned
Example: The flight had a delay due to weather.
Synonym: postponement
arrive
To get to a place
Example: We arrived at the airport early.
Synonym: reach

Tips

  • Use 'set off' to clearly indicate the start of your journey.
  • Remember that 'set off' does not change form in the past tense.
  • Avoid confusing 'set off' with 'set up' or 'set out' – they have different meanings.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to use the phrasal verb 'set off' in the past simple to describe starting a journey at the airport. You also practised vocabulary related to travel and airport situations to better describe your trip experiences.

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