be primed for

USAGE SUMMARY

"be primed for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean that one is prepared for something, ready to take action or actively expecting something to happen. For example, "We must be primed for the meeting; the client has a lot of questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In theory, the Republicans should be primed for revival.

The New York Times

Should now be primed for this ideal test.

Independent

But in the short term, she said, investors should be primed for more nasty surprises.

The New York Times

Once on the court, I knew I would be primed for the game to begin.

The New York Times - Sports

You could be primed for a change but unsure what change to make.

The Guardian

Still, there have been growing signs that Japan's news industry may be primed for change.

The New York Times

"If that's so, the Shore, with its traditional base so close, might be primed for a boom".

The New York Times

With four seasons complete, "Sex and the City" will have reached a point where a network comedy would begin to be primed for sale in syndication.

The New York Times

If central bankers are persuaded to keep rates steady because they think the economy has reached equilibrium, stocks could be primed for a sell-off.

The New York Times

The only person who seemed not to be primed for cruciverbalist rapture was Hook: as usual, he had slipped off before the final round.

The New Yorker

Thus, it seems doubtful that Mrs. Livingston, still weeping every day since her son's death seven years before, would be primed for international travel.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be primed for" when you want to emphasize a state of readiness and anticipation, often suggesting that prior actions have led to this state. For example, "After weeks of training, the athlete was primed for the competition."

Common error

While "be primed for" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "be ready for" or "be prepared for" in informal settings to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be primed for" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a subject as being prepared or ready for something. Ludwig's examples show it modifying subjects ranging from people to economies, illustrating its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be primed for" is a versatile phrase indicating readiness and anticipation, as confirmed by Ludwig. Grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it signifies that a subject is well-prepared for an upcoming event or condition. While suitable for formal writing, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual settings. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is indeed correct and usable. Related phrases include "be prepared for" and "be ready for", offering nuanced options for expressing similar meanings. Remember to reserve this phrase for use cases that require a feeling of proactive and intentional preparation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be prepared for

Focuses on the state of readiness, similar to "be primed for".

be ready for

Indicates a state of being equipped to handle something.

be geared up for

Suggests a more active preparation, implying specific measures taken.

be set for

Implies that all necessary arrangements have been made.

be in a position to

Highlights the capability to act or respond.

anticipate

Focuses on foreseeing and preparing for something.

expect

Emphasizes the belief that something will happen.

look forward to

Expresses anticipation with a positive connotation.

await

Indicates a state of waiting and readiness.

brace oneself for

Implies preparing for something unpleasant or challenging.

FAQs

How can I use "be primed for" in a sentence?

You can use "be primed for" to indicate a state of readiness or preparation for something. For example, "The team should "be primed for" the upcoming challenge after their rigorous training."

What are some alternatives to "be primed for"?

Alternatives to "be primed for" include "be prepared for", "be ready for", or "be geared up for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "be primed for" in formal writing?

Yes, "be primed for" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a sense of thorough preparation and anticipation, making it appropriate for academic, professional, and journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "be primed for" and "be ready for"?

"Be ready for" generally means being in a state of preparedness. "Be primed for", however, suggests a more proactive preparation and often implies that specific prior actions have led to this state of readiness. For instance, you might "be ready for" a test, but "be primed for" a competition after extensive training.