as I prepared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as I prepared" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an action or state occurring simultaneously with the act of preparing for something. Example: "As I prepared for the presentation, I reviewed my notes and practiced my speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then as I prepared to serve there was complete silence.

The Guardian - Sport

That's it, I thought, as I prepared for our vacation this past January.

The New York Times - Travel

As I prepared to sit I noticed a small gray box with a Purple Heart inside.

The New York Times

As I prepared to leave, he added, "You can't lose hope".

The New York Times

"But it was a little bittersweet as much as I prepared myself for it.

The New York Times - Sports

The nightmare haunted me all morning as I prepared for the feast day of the Assumption.

The New Yorker

These turned out to be particularly useful as I prepared earlier this summer to interview Petraeus.

The New Yorker

That afternoon, as I prepared to leave, Pansy was nowhere to be found.

The New Yorker

I kept thinking about that grim joke as I prepared for this column.

The New York Times

As I prepared on Saturday I got an abusive email from a reader.

The Guardian - Arts

role was when I was a C.O.O., but as I prepared before the interview process, I engaged a C.E.O.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as I prepared", ensure the timing of the preparation and the linked action are closely related to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as I prepared" if there's a significant time gap between the preparation and the event. For instance, saying "As I prepared for college ten years ago, I now work as a programmer" lacks a clear connection. Instead, use a phrase that reflects the actual timeframe, such as "In preparation for college ten years ago..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as I prepared" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying the main clause by indicating when the action in the main clause occurred. It establishes a temporal relationship, specifying that something happened during the period of preparation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as I prepared" is a versatile adverbial clause, commonly used to establish a temporal relationship between an action and the process of preparing for something. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media. It serves to provide context and background information, creating a clear connection between the act of preparing and subsequent events. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the timing of the preparation and the related action is closely aligned. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's advisable to select alternative phrasing if a more formal or specialized tone is required. Common alternatives include "while getting ready" and "in preparation for", each offering a slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as I was getting ready

Adds a sense of ongoing action to the preparation.

as I got myself ready

Adds emphasis on the personal effort of getting ready.

in preparation for

Highlights the state of being prepared, emphasizing the purpose.

while making preparations

Highlights the activity of making preparations.

during my preparations

Emphasizes the time period when preparations were underway.

upon readying myself

Emphasizes the act of making oneself ready.

while getting ready

Focuses on the action of getting ready, rather than the preparation itself.

in anticipation of

Focuses on the expectation of the event, implying preparation.

leading up to

Highlights the period of time immediately before the event.

beforehand

Implies actions taken in advance without specifying the activity.

FAQs

How can I use "as I prepared" in a sentence?

Use "as I prepared" to connect the act of preparing with another action or state. For example, "As I prepared for the presentation, I reviewed my notes carefully."

What are some alternatives to "as I prepared"?

Consider using phrases like "while getting ready", "in preparation for", or "as I was getting ready" for variety.

Is it correct to say "while I prepared" instead of "as I prepared"?

While both can be used, "as I prepared" often implies a closer connection or simultaneity between the preparation and the subsequent action. "While I prepared" might suggest a more general timeframe.

What's the difference between "as I prepared" and "after I prepared"?

"As I prepared" indicates that the preparation and another action occurred simultaneously or very closely in time. "After I prepared" implies that the preparation was completed before the other action began.