begin preparations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begin preparations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the start of a process or activity that involves getting ready for an event or task. Example: "As the event date approaches, we need to begin preparations for the conference to ensure everything runs smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

8 15 P.M.: I awaken from a "disco nap" feeling refreshed and ready to begin preparations.

The New Yorker

"The Socceroos will arrive in Dushanbe today (Saturday) and begin preparations as planned.

The Guardian - Sport

Second, he wants the Irish government "to begin preparations for Irish unity".

The Guardian - Opinion

Companies considering or planning a virtual meeting should begin preparations early.

Harvard University

We're absolutely thrilled to begin preparations for OHMA's Tenth Anniversary fundraising initiative and celebration this way.

Columbia University

He will begin preparations for radiotherapy treatment within the next few days.

Independent

If the players do approve the deal, the league would begin preparations for the season.

The New York Times - Sports

He returned at the end of August to begin preparations for an immediate tour of Europe.

Independent

He is now fully engaged with the Jets as they begin preparations for a new season.

The New York Times - Sports

It is time for the federal authorities to begin preparations to allow Elian and his family to go home.

The New York Times

In July, President Barzani asked the Kurdish parliament to begin preparations for a vote on self-rule.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your audience. While "begin preparations" is generally suitable, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "commence preparations".

Common error

Avoid using "begin preparations" without specifying the subject of the preparations. Vague statements like "We will begin preparations" leave the reader wondering what exactly is being prepared. Always specify the event, task, or goal for which preparations are being made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begin preparations" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the commencement of activities aimed at getting ready for a specific event, task, or situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

16%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "begin preparations" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the start of a preparatory process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. While appropriate for various contexts, it's important to specify what the preparations are for to avoid ambiguity. Consider formality levels; "commence preparations" may suit more formal settings. Common authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ the phrase. For more casual contexts, consider alternatives like "start getting ready" or "kick off preparations".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiate preparations

Substitutes "begin" with the more formal "initiate".

commence preparations

Employs "commence" as a more formal alternative to "begin".

start getting ready

Replaces "begin" with "start" and uses a more conversational phrasing.

kick off preparations

Uses the idiomatic "kick off" to indicate the start of preparations.

make preliminary arrangements

Focuses on the early stages of organizing and arranging.

undertake preparatory measures

Rephrases the entire phrase to emphasize the actions being taken.

set about preparing

Focuses on the action of preparing, changing the sentence structure.

lay the groundwork

Uses a different metaphor to describe starting preparations, focusing on building a foundation.

get the ball rolling on preparations

Uses a more informal idiom to suggest starting the preparatory work.

start the ball rolling on getting ready

Is a more informal way of saying to begin getting ready for something.

FAQs

How can I use "begin preparations" in a sentence?

You can use "begin preparations" to indicate the start of getting ready for an event or task. For example, "The team will "begin preparations" for the upcoming tournament next week."

What are some alternatives to "begin preparations"?

Alternatives include "start getting ready", "initiate preparations", or "commence preparations". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "start preparations" and "begin preparations"?

While both phrases are similar, "begin preparations" may sound slightly more formal than "start preparations". The choice often depends on the overall tone of your writing.

What is a common mistake when using the phrase "begin preparations"?

A common mistake is failing to specify what the preparations are for. For example, it's better to say "Begin preparations for the meeting" rather than just "Begin preparations" to avoid ambiguity.