have things ready

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have things ready" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the preparation or organization of items or tasks in advance. Example: "Please make sure to have things ready before the meeting starts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The more you plan out the week and have things ready, the easier it will be on school days.

Harvard University

They want to order ahead on their mobile device and have things ready when they get there – whether that's in the store or curbside in front of the store," explains Waldman.

TechCrunch

Prepare for the future, have things ready".

Vice

"We really worked hard to have things ready for any condition," she said.

Los Angeles Times

For instance, Melissa described how families assisted her with set-up when working within tight timeframes: … you're given an hour to do specific amount things and …if they're in wheelchairs and you got to transfer them, you don't have time maybe to get their clothes laid out…so their family member will have their clothes laid out… and they'll have things ready.

BMC Geriatrics

… you're given an hour to do specific amount things and …if they're in wheelchairs and you got to transfer them, you don't have time maybe to get their clothes laid out…so their family member will have their clothes laid out… and they'll have things ready.

BMC Geriatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We're working on having things ready by spring break," she said.

The New York Times

What should I do to be able to concentrate more as he's always finding something to yell at me about and I only have a month to get things ready for the driving test?

The New York Times

To help the roustabouts get things ready someone had to spend many hours above the arena ceiling rigging ropes, pulleys, cables and guy wires for the performers Whenever there is rigging to be done at the Garden he is involved.

The New Yorker

Yet all of these opinions are on a device not yet meant for public consumption, and with this update we see how far Google still has to go to get things ready for the big debut.

TechCrunch

We had awoken early to get things ready to leave, but the fog was too thick and we waited hoping it would lift.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify what "things" refers to, like "Have the documents ready" or "Have the presentation ready".

Common error

While "have things ready" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse in formal writing can make your writing sound less professional. Use synonyms like "ensure preparedness" or "complete preparations" to maintain a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have things ready" functions as a directive or statement indicating a state of preparedness. It suggests completing preparations or gathering items in advance. Ludwig confirms that this is a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have things ready" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that instructs or states a need for preparedness. It is suitable for various contexts, though formal settings might benefit from more precise language. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. While "have things ready" is generally well-received, remember to consider your audience and the specific context to ensure the most appropriate and effective communication. Be mindful of overusing it in formal contexts, where alternatives like "ensure preparedness" may better fit the register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make sure everything is ready

Emphasizes the act of ensuring readiness.

get everything prepared

Focuses on the action of preparing everything, adding emphasis on the preparation process itself.

ensure preparedness

More formal, emphasizing the state of being prepared, rather than the act of preparing.

make preparations

Highlights the act of making preparations, rather than the state of having things ready.

prepare in advance

Focuses on the timing of the preparation, emphasizing that it is done ahead of time.

get ready beforehand

Similar to "prepare in advance", but uses more informal language.

be well-prepared

Emphasizes a state of thorough preparation.

organize things ahead of time

Emphasizes the organization aspect of preparation.

have everything set

Focuses on having everything arranged and in place.

get everything in order

Highlights the organization and arrangement of items.

FAQs

How can I use "have things ready" in a sentence?

You can use "have things ready" to indicate that preparations should be completed before a specific event or time. For example, "Please "make sure everything is ready" before the meeting starts".

What are some alternatives to "have things ready"?

You can use alternatives like "prepare everything", "get ready beforehand", or "ensure preparedness", depending on the context.

Is "have things ready" formal or informal?

"Have things ready" is generally considered informal but acceptable in many contexts. For formal writing, using more precise and professional language such as "complete preparations" or "ensure all is prepared" is advisable.

What does it mean to "have things ready"?

To "have things ready" means to ensure that necessary preparations, arrangements, or gathering of items are completed in advance, so that when the time comes, everything is in place and one is not caught unprepared. In short, it entails "being well-prepared".