bracing for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bracing for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate preparing oneself for something challenging or difficult that is about to happen. Example: "The community is bracing for the impact of the approaching storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Farmers are bracing for it.

The New York Times

Mandiant is bracing for reprisals.

The Economist

The country is bracing for riots.

The New Yorker

Some people were bracing for the worst.

The New York Times

The Japanese are bracing for further losses.

The New York Times

The president is bracing for failure.

The New York Times

MUHAMMAD HANIF is bracing for a slump.

The Economist

Both sides are bracing for a lockout.

The New York Times - Sports

Tokyoites are bracing for something similar.

The Economist

"We're bracing for it," she said.

The New York Times - Health

Phoenix was bracing for freezing overnight temperatures.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bracing for" when you want to convey a sense of preparing for something potentially negative or impactful. It suggests a proactive approach to facing challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "bracing for" in situations that are purely positive or neutral. The phrase carries a connotation of preparing for something difficult or undesirable. For positive situations, consider phrases like "looking forward to" or "excited about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bracing for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating anticipation and preparation for a future event or situation. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it often implies readiness for something potentially negative or challenging.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bracing for" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate preparing oneself for a potentially challenging or negative event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. When writing, it's important to use "bracing for" when you want to express a sense of anticipation and readiness to face difficulties. Alternative phrases include "preparing for", "anticipating", and "getting ready for". It is advisable to avoid using it in a context that implies positivity as the phrase is often linked to something negative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preparing for

Focuses on the action of getting ready, emphasizing the steps taken beforehand.

getting ready for

A more informal way of saying preparing, often used in everyday conversation.

anticipating

Highlights the act of expecting something to happen, often with a degree of concern.

expecting

Simply denotes the expectation of an event, without necessarily implying preparation.

steeling oneself for

Implies a strengthening of resolve in anticipation of something difficult.

fortifying oneself for

Suggests building up defenses or resilience against an expected challenge.

gearing up for

Emphasizes the process of equipping or preparing for a specific event or task.

bracing oneself against

Focuses on withstanding the force or impact of something negative.

getting set for

Similar to "getting ready for", but often implies a more formal or organized preparation.

making preparations for

Highlights the concrete actions taken to get ready for an event.

FAQs

How can I use "bracing for" in a sentence?

"Bracing for" is used to indicate preparing oneself for something challenging or difficult. For example, "The company is "bracing for" a potential economic downturn".

What can I say instead of "bracing for"?

You can use alternatives like "preparing for", "anticipating", or "getting ready for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "bracing for impact"?

Yes, "bracing for impact" is a common and correct phrase, often used to describe preparing for a significant and usually negative event or change.

What's the difference between "bracing for" and "looking forward to"?

"Bracing for" implies preparing for something potentially negative or challenging, while "looking forward to" indicates anticipating something positive or enjoyable.