Setup vs. Set Up: Which One Do You Need?

Should you write setup or set up? Which one is correct?

We will look at the difference between the expressions so that you will be set up for success with them in your writing.

The Difference Between Setup and Set Up

Setup and set up are obviously alike, and both can be correct in certain contexts. One is a single word, while the other is the same word divided in two. They also can sound the same when pronounced out loud. Despite these similarities, they still differ from each other, with separate meanings and uses.

Setup (one word) is a noun that describes the way something is arranged. Here it is being used correctly in a sentence:

The setup of the office encourages lots of creativity and communication.

Notice that you might occasionally see setup as hyphenated set-up. As a guideline, unless you have been directed to treat it that way, you can forgo using a hyphen.

That brings us to set up, written as two words. This construction is a verb phrase that describes the action of arranging things.

Whereas setup (one word) describes the arrangement, set up (two words) is the performing of it. Here is set up being used correctly in a sentence:

Stacey took some time to set up the conference room for an important meeting.

The phrase set up also can function as a past-participle adjective:

The conference room is set up for the meeting.

As you can see, the difference between the single word (setup) and the verb phrase (set up) is subtle. Simply remember that the uninterrupted version refers to an arrangement and the separated version refers to the act of arranging, and you’ll be set up to use them with ease.

Pop Quiz

Make the correct choice in each sentence.

1. I hope you’ll have time to show me how you [setup / set up] your computer for the new game.

2. One teacher can’t make you successful, but he or she can leave you with a mental [setup / set up] for success.

3. Janice [setup / set up] the chess board in the hopes she could convince her uncle to play a game.

4. Whatever the technical [setup / set up] might be, the sound in the theater was wonderful.

5. It’s always best to [setup / set up] a kitchen with knives and ingredients before you start to cook.

 

Pop Quiz Answers

1. I hope you’ll have time to show me how you set up your computer for the new game.

2. One teacher can’t make you successful, but he or she can leave you with a mental setup for

3. Janice set up the chess board in the hopes she could convince her uncle to play a game.

4. Whatever the technical setup might be, the sound in the theater was wonderful.

5. It’s always best to set up a kitchen with knives and ingredients before you start to cook.

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