are preparation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are preparation for" is not correct in standard English.
It should be "are preparations for" when referring to multiple instances of preparation. Example: "These activities are preparations for the upcoming event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The movements of a kitten following a ball or string prepare the animal for stalking prey; likewise leaping and jumping in play are preparation for springing after a bird in flight.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since becoming North Korean leader in late 2011, Kim has stepped up condemnation of joint US-South Korean military drills he believes are preparation for an invasion.

The Guardian

Teenagers today are some of the most tested and examined in generations, and carry with them a prevailing sense that these years are preparation for a highly competitive adult life.

The Guardian - Opinion

The experiments here are preparation for building a second, $250 million plant in Florida with the capacity to produce 36 million gallons a year of new biofuels — the first commercial plant of its type built with oil company money and expertise.

The New York Times

"The races along the way, like this one, are preparation for that".

BBC

England's manager, correctly, states that these games - and indeed Sunday's friendly in Rio - are preparation for the main event of the World Cup qualifiers.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Ointments are preparations for external use, intended for application to the skin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One might think that these are preparations for the battle in Central Europe that NATO war-gamed for so many years.

The New York Times

How are preparations for the show coming along? A. We're in the home stretch.

The New York Times

These steps are preparations for the Sixth Congress of the Cuban Communist Party, which may meet later this year or early next.

The New York Times

Then there are preparations for the other kinds of disasters — like crime — that can befall collectors.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating that certain actions or measures facilitate readiness for a future event, use grammatically correct phrases such as "are preparations for" or "serve as preparation for" instead of "are preparation for".

Common error

Avoid using the singular noun "preparation" when referring to multiple actions or steps that contribute to readiness. Instead, use the plural form "preparations" with the verb "are". For example, say "These steps are preparations for the event" rather than "These steps are preparation for the event".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are preparation for" attempts to describe a state of readiness or anticipatory action. However, it is grammatically incorrect, as it uses the singular noun "preparation" with the plural verb "are". Ludwig's examples, indicate the correct usage should be "are preparations for".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are preparation for" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. The correct form is "are preparations for", using the plural noun "preparations". Ludwig AI underscores this point with its analysis. While examples exist across various sources, including news and encyclopedias, the relatively low frequency and the availability of grammatically sound alternatives suggest opting for phrases like "are steps towards" or "serve as preparation for" to ensure clarity and accuracy. When in doubt, prioritizing grammatical correctness enhances credibility and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are intended to prepare for

Explicitly states the intention behind the preparatory actions.

serve as preparation for

This emphasizes the function of something as a preparatory step.

are designed to ready for

Highlights the design or purpose behind the preparation.

constitute preparation for

Formal alternative replacing "are" with a more precise verb, indicating that something actively forms a preparation.

are steps towards

Breaks down preparation into smaller, incremental actions.

are geared toward

Implies that actions are specifically tailored to a future goal.

lay the groundwork for

Figurative language implying the creation of a foundation for future events.

are preliminary to

A more formal way of saying 'coming before' or 'in advance of'.

are a prelude to

Implies that something is an introductory event leading to something more significant.

are in anticipation of

Focuses on the expectation of a future event.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something is being made ready for an event?

The correct phrasing is to use "are preparations for" when referring to multiple acts of preparing. Alternatively, you could use "serve as preparation for" or "constitute preparation for".

Is "are preparation for" grammatically correct?

No, "are preparation for" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is "are preparations for", using the plural noun "preparations".

What are some alternative phrases to "are preparation for" that I can use in my writing?

You can use phrases like "are steps towards", "lay the groundwork for", or "are designed to ready for" as alternatives to "are preparation for" depending on the context.

How does using "are preparation for" affect the clarity of my writing?

Using "are preparation for" can create confusion due to its incorrect grammatical structure. Opting for phrases like "are preparations for" or "are intended to prepare for" enhances clarity and ensures accurate communication.