Preparing a meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Preparing a meal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of cooking or making food, often in contexts related to recipes, cooking instructions, or meal planning. Example: "After a long day at work, I find joy in preparing a meal for my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Preparing a meal together truly illuminates each person's leadership styles and tendencies.

Harvard Business Review

Preparing a meal just for yourself can give you an opportunity to really contemplate what you eat.

The New York Times - Health

Preparing a meal requires you to concentrate on the ingredients and the cooking process; it uses cognitive effort.

The Guardian - Money

Preparing a meal, driving a truck through city traffic or cleaning a hotel room present mind-bogglingly complex challenges for computers.

The New York Times

Preparing a meal in McCall, Idaho.

Forbes

Preparing a meal as opposed to ordering in all the time, you start thinking about where your food comes from and how it gets to your table.

Huffington Post

Preparing a meal of dried meat.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Unaware of the LRA's arrival, her husband and son began preparing a meal in their hut.

The Guardian

I'd say let's concern ourselves with sitting at the table together and preparing a meal".

The New York Times - Magazine

His favourite subjects were women spinning or reading the Bible or preparing a meal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

CONS: This apartment is not for a cook who likes to entertain while preparing a meal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the process of cooking, using "Preparing a meal" adds a slightly more formal or descriptive tone compared to "Cooking a meal" or "Making a meal".

Common error

Avoid constructions like "A meal was being prepared" when you can use the active voice: "Someone was preparing a meal." The active voice is generally clearer and more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Preparing a meal" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It can serve as the subject or object of a sentence, describing the act of making food.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Preparing a meal" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that functions as a gerund phrase. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. As shown in the examples, it's commonly used in news, business, and scientific contexts. For alternatives, you might consider "cooking a meal" or "making a meal". When using this phrase, avoid overusing the passive voice for clarity. Ludwig's analysis indicates that "Preparing a meal" is a versatile and reliable choice for describing the act of meal preparation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Cooking a meal

Replaces the gerund "preparing" with the present participle "cooking", a very close synonym.

Making a meal

Substitutes "preparing" with "making", emphasizing the creation aspect.

Getting a meal ready

Focuses on the action of readying a meal for consumption.

Arranging a meal

Highlights the organizational aspect of meal preparation.

Fixing a meal

An informal alternative, mainly used in American English.

Putting together a meal

Emphasizes the process of assembling a meal from its components.

Producing a meal

Stresses the act of generating a meal, often from basic ingredients.

Creating a meal

Highlights the inventive and artistic aspects of cooking.

Composing a meal

Implies a careful and thoughtful arrangement of dishes.

Devising a meal

Suggests planning and inventing a meal, perhaps for a specific occasion.

FAQs

How can I use "Preparing a meal" in a sentence?

You can use "Preparing a meal" as a gerund phrase acting as a noun. For example: "Preparing a meal can be a relaxing activity after a long day."

What are some alternatives to "Preparing a meal"?

Alternatives include "cooking a meal", "making a meal", or "getting a meal ready". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "Preparing a meal" or "Cooking a meal"?

Both "Preparing a meal" and "Cooking a meal" are correct. "Preparing a meal" might sound slightly more formal, while ""cooking a meal"" is more common in everyday conversation.

What does it mean to prepare a meal?

To prepare a meal means to plan, gather ingredients, and cook food to be eaten. It involves all the steps from conceptualizing the dish to serving it.