braced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "braced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being prepared or ready for something, often in a physical or emotional context. Example: "She braced herself for the impact of the news, knowing it would be difficult to hear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Osborne is braced for the economy, which will grow by 0.9% in 2011, to expand by just 0.7% next year – down from the 2.5% estimated in the March budget.

The Guardian

As traders braced themselves for further shifts towards yes in polls due within days, the Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman said Scottish voters needed to "be very afraid" about the risks of independence.

The Guardian

In the political world, this was the week of the healthcare ruling: reporters hovered around the supreme court, pundits pundited, politicians "braced" for the ruling, "reeled" in its aftermath.

The Guardian - Opinion

12.01pm: While Greece is braced for an even deeper recession than feared (see 10.39am), Germany still expects to post growth this year.

The Guardian - Business

The department had been braced for the cuts but the further commitment to expand free childcare places for working parents means the department will receive more funding for the policy from 2016 onwards.

The Guardian

A leading homecare provider says it will have no compunction about walking away from unprofitable contracts With social care braced for further deep cuts in government funding via councils, the outlook is far from encouraging for the companies and charities that provide almost all state-funded homecare.

The Guardian

On paper, it couldn't have been simpler – you line up a piece of leather with the sole, thread your needle and sew through pre-pressed holes – but I hadn't braced myself for how utterly laborious the job would be.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Egypt is braced for more violence on the third anniversary of its 2011 uprising, after the prime minister, Hazem Beblawy, called on Egyptians to march in support of the police – while a terrorist group who attacked police with four separate bomb attacks on Friday simultaneously warned the public to stay away from open spaces.

The Guardian

Malawi is braced for the mass trial of 100 civil servants, politicians and businesspeople involved in the alleged looting of more than $100m £60mm) from government coffers.

The Guardian

The following morning, exhausted by our all-night hostile stalemate, my baby and I flopped on to the sofa, switched on the radio and braced ourselves for the worst.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If street names are an omen, you should be braced for trouble where Gun Street meets Artillery Lane.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "braced" when you want to convey a sense of anticipation, often involving something challenging or unpleasant. It suggests a proactive approach to preparing for what's coming.

Common error

Avoid using "braced" when a simpler term like "prepared" or "ready" will suffice. "Braced" implies a degree of resistance or anticipation of difficulty that might not always be present.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "braced" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "brace". It's often used to describe the act of preparing oneself physically or mentally for something challenging, as illustrated in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "braced" is a versatile verb form indicating preparation for something, often challenging, and is considered grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "prepared" or "ready" exist, "braced" carries a nuance of anticipating difficulty. When using "braced", ensure the context warrants the implication of challenge or adversity, avoiding its overuse in situations where simpler terms suffice. Top sources like The Guardian and The Economist demonstrate its consistent use in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepared oneself

A more reflexive and self-directed version of 'prepared'.

prepared

Indicates readiness but might lack the sense of anticipating something potentially challenging.

ready

Similar to prepared, but can be more general and less specific to an upcoming event.

fortified

Implies strengthening oneself, physically or mentally, for an upcoming challenge.

gotten ready

Indicates the completion of preparation.

geared up

Suggests a more active and enthusiastic preparation.

steel oneself

Emphasizes mental and emotional preparation for something difficult.

made ready

Formal way to indicate that preparation is complete.

gotten set

Similar to "geared up", implies a readiness to start or proceed.

taken measures

Focuses on the actions taken to prepare for a situation.

FAQs

How can I use "braced" in a sentence?

"Braced" can be used to indicate physical preparation, as in "He "braced himself against" the wall", or mental/emotional preparation, as in "They "braced themselves for the news"".

What are some alternatives to "braced"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "prepared", "ready", or "fortified". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I braced for impact"?

Yes, "braced for impact" is a common and correct idiom, indicating preparation for a collision or other forceful event.

What's the difference between "braced" and "prepared"?

"Braced" often implies anticipating something negative or challenging and taking steps to withstand it. "Prepared" is more general and simply means being ready for something, without necessarily expecting difficulty.