began to prepare

USAGE SUMMARY

"began to prepare" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating the start of the process of getting ready for something. Example: She began to prepare for the upcoming exam. Alternative expressions include "started to prepare" and "commenced preparing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Then he began to prepare.

The New York Times - Magazine

Taking office as governor, he began to prepare for war.

The New York Times

I began to prepare the house for their return.

The New York Times

Time Warner executives began to prepare for the worst.

The New York Times

So they began to prepare for their next decade.

Harvard Business Review

In early February, he began to prepare for this year's World Championship.

The New Yorker

Bachmann began to prepare this view of Virginia well before the fighting broke out.

The New York Times

I began to prepare myself, to think of the bigger picture.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

As we neared the rally, in a neighborhood called Patel Nagar, Kejriwal began to prepare himself.

The New Yorker

Upon leaving the courtroom, Dickie Scruggs began to prepare for his sentencing, which is likely to take place next month.

The New Yorker

But as prosecutors began to prepare for trial, Rayshawn began refusing to cooperate, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "began to prepare" to clearly indicate the initiation of a preparatory action. It works well in narratives and descriptive contexts where the start of preparation is significant.

Common error

Avoid using "began to prepare" in excessively passive constructions. Ensure the subject performing the preparation is clear and active to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "began to prepare" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the commencement of an action. It is used to describe the initial stage of getting ready for something, fitting with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

24%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Huffington Post

3%

Science

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "began to prepare" is a versatile phrase used to denote the start of preparatory actions. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and widely applicable across numerous contexts. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for both formal and informal settings, as evidenced by its prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. While alternatives exist, "began to prepare" remains a clear and effective choice for indicating the commencement of getting ready for something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started preparing

This alternative uses 'started' instead of 'began', indicating the commencement of preparation.

commenced preparation

This option employs 'commenced' and 'preparation', suggesting a more formal start to getting ready.

initiated preparations

Uses 'initiated' to emphasize the start of a structured preparation process.

set about preparing

This implies a deliberate and focused start to the act of preparing.

got ready to prepare

Suggests getting oneself into a state of readiness before preparing.

made preparations to

Focuses on the actions taken to get ready.

took steps to prepare

This highlights the specific actions taken to prepare for something.

geared up to prepare

Indicates a process of equipping or readying oneself before preparing.

started to gear up

Focuses on the preliminary actions before beginning to prepare.

undertook preparation

Emphasizes the commitment and undertaking of the preparation process.

FAQs

How can I use "began to prepare" in a sentence?

You can use "began to prepare" to describe the start of getting ready for something. For instance, "After receiving the news, she began to prepare for the journey".

What are some alternatives to "began to prepare"?

Alternatives include "started preparing", "commenced preparation", or "initiated preparations", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "began to prepare" formal or informal?

"Began to prepare" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "commenced preparation" may be more suitable for academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "began to prepare" and "started preparing"?

The difference between "began to prepare" and "started preparing" is minimal. "Began" might suggest a slightly more deliberate or formal commencement, but in most contexts, they are interchangeable.