get into position

USAGE SUMMARY

"get into position" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the action of placing oneself in a specific location or posture in preparation for something. It is commonly used in sports, military, and performing arts contexts. Example: "The football players quickly got into position as the referee blew the whistle to start the game." Other examples: 1. "The dancers took a deep breath before getting into position for their final performance." 2. "The soldiers were trained to get into position in under a minute." 3. "The yoga instructor instructed the students to get into position for the next pose." 4. "The photographer asked the models to get into position for the photoshoot." 5. "The chess players carefully studied their opponents' moves before getting into position for the next move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was trying to get into position so I could hit the ball".

The New York Times - Sports

Before I get into position to simulate docking, Sommers and Hatfield tell me it's easy.

The Washington Post

Here, two actresses get into position near a murdered soldier and an abandoned carriage.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Players should, when they get into position, finish it off," McIlroy says.

The Guardian - Sport

Peter Jennings didn't get into position at ABC until shortly past noon.

The New York Times

I get into position, using the front step as a starting block.

The New Yorker

"But mental mistakes, you like to get into position to give yourself a chance.

The New York Times - Sports

And there was Jeter, running across the diamond to get into position for a possible errant throw from right field.

The New York Times

I played it as though I was standing outside myself, actually watching myself get into position for the on-drive.

Independent

He said McLeod was simply waiting for her fullbacks to get into position for a short outlet.

The New York Times - Sports

(The dancers either anticipate a blackout and start to move or are a millisecond too late to get into position).

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get into position", consider the level of formality required. In more formal contexts, "station oneself" or "maneuver into place" might be more appropriate. In informal contexts, "get ready" can often substitute. However, remember "get ready" is a more general sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "get into position" when the context requires a more specific verb. For example, instead of saying "He got into position to take the photo", be more precise and say "He crouched to take the photo" if that's what he did.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get into position" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of moving or placing oneself in a specific location or posture. Ludwig examples show it commonly describes physical preparation for an activity or event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "get into position" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of moving or placing oneself in a specific location or posture in preparation for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, media, and Wiki sources. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and choose a more specific verb if appropriate. For more formal situations, alternatives like "station oneself" might be preferable. Remember, the goal is to effectively communicate the action of preparing for an activity by achieving optimal placement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

station oneself

Similar to 'take up a station', but puts more emphasis on the action of placing oneself.

assume a stance

Focuses on the physical posture or bearing adopted, which is a specific type of getting into position.

take up a station

Implies assuming a post or duty in a specific place.

maneuver into place

Emphasizes the act of carefully or strategically moving to a specific location.

arrange oneself

Suggests a more deliberate and careful positioning.

move to a location

Highlights the change in physical location.

align oneself

Implies adjusting one's position in relation to something else.

prepare oneself

Focuses on the act of making preparations, which can include physical positioning.

set oneself up

Conveys the idea of preparing or arranging oneself for a particular purpose or activity.

get ready

Similar in meaning, but more general and not necessarily related to physical placement.

FAQs

How can I use "get into position" in a sentence?

You can use "get into position" to describe the act of physically preparing for an activity, such as "The runners got into position at the starting line" or "The photographer asked the models to get into position for the photoshoot".

What are some alternatives to saying "get into position"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "assume a stance", "maneuver into place", or "prepare oneself".

Is it correct to say "got in position" instead of "get into position"?

"Got in position" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct when describing a completed action. For example, "The team got in position before the play started".

What is the difference between "get into position" and "get ready"?

"Get into position" typically refers to a specific physical arrangement or location, while "get ready" is a more general term for preparing for something, which might not involve physical placement.