about to prepare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about to prepare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone is on the verge of starting to prepare something. Example: "I am about to prepare dinner for my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

At the time of arrest, he about to prepare for college entrance exams!

Huffington Post

~~~ Just as they are about to prepare the first deliverables, DiCaprio has a flashback to an imploding British private hospital.

The New Yorker

More like medieval novices come to mass than chefs about to prepare perhaps the greatest avant-garde meal ever seen.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, you may want to reconsider the wisdom of offending the people who are about to prepare your food.

The New York Times - Magazine

FELLOW cooks, it is time to take control of the giant meal you are about to prepare.

The New York Times - Food

Only a week or so ago, I set about to prepare a dish of steamed mussels with white wine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mr. Dank had about five hours to prepare and spent some of that time sleeping.

The New York Times - Arts

Plan to take about 15 weeks to prepare for the big day.

Huffington Post

You may be worried about safety or you may feel nervous about how to prepare.

Columbia University

He has learnt a lot about how to prepare.

The Guardian - Sport

Some argue that kids need to learn about technology to prepare them for the work force.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about to prepare", ensure that the context clearly indicates the imminence of the action. It's best used when the preparation is expected to start very soon.

Common error

In formal contexts, consider using more precise alternatives like "preparing to commence" or "intending to prepare" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about to prepare" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an imminent action. It combines an adverb ("about") with an infinitive verb phrase ("to prepare") to express that something is on the verge of beginning. Ludwig provides examples showing its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about to prepare" is grammatically correct and indicates that an action is imminent. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, suggesting that it's most commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, more formal options may be preferred in certain academic or business settings. When writing, use "about to prepare" to convey a sense of immediacy, but be mindful of the tone and context. Remember, while generally useful, being ready to prepare differs from being "about to prepare", with the latter emphasizing the very near future. Also consider that the word 'prepare' can be replaced to 'start' or 'begin', while preserving similar meaning and structure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just about to prepare

Adds emphasis on the immediacy of the action.

on the verge of preparing

Emphasizes being at the very edge of starting the preparation process.

on the point of preparing

Indicates nearing the exact moment of starting preparation.

getting ready to prepare

Highlights the process of becoming ready for preparation.

ready to begin preparing

Focuses on the state of readiness for starting preparation.

preparing to commence

More formal; stresses the start of the preparation.

set to prepare

Highlights a scheduled or arranged preparation.

intending to prepare

Emphasizes the intention and plan to prepare.

aiming to prepare

Focuses on the goal-oriented nature of the preparation.

planning to prepare

Highlights the planning stage prior to preparation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "about to prepare" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "preparing to commence", "intending to prepare", or "on the verge of preparing". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "about to prepare" and "ready to prepare"?

"About to prepare" implies an action that will start very soon, while "ready to prepare" indicates a state of preparedness, but not necessarily immediate action.

Is "about to prepare" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "about to prepare" may sound less formal than preferred in academic writing. Consider alternatives like "preparing to begin" or "commencing preparation" for a more suitable tone.

Can "about to prepare" be used in past tense?

Yes, you can use it in the past tense as "was about to prepare" to describe an action that was imminent in the past but may or may not have occurred.