is preparing to

USAGE SUMMARY

"is preparing to" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing someone's current actions or plans for the future. Example: The team is preparing to leave for their tournament tomorrow morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shuler is preparing to depart Washington.

The New York Times - Sports

Another is preparing to go to Israel.

The New York Times

America is preparing to compromise over liability.

The Economist

It is preparing to welcome Goldstone.

The New York Times

She is preparing to start chemotherapy.

The New York Times

Judge Batts is preparing to sentence him.

The New York Times

The fund is preparing to respond accordingly.

The New York Times

And Pennsylvania is preparing to follow suit.

The New York Times

Now Google is preparing to strike back.

The New York Times - Tech

And Lou is preparing to win.

The New York Times - Sports

The Pope is preparing to beatify him".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is preparing to" when you want to convey that someone or something is in the process of getting ready for a specific future action or event. It emphasizes the preparatory steps being taken.

Common error

Avoid using "is preparing to" when referring to past actions. This phrase is specifically for present actions leading to a future outcome. For past actions, use "was preparing to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is preparing to" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing process of getting ready for a future action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound. It expresses the subject's current state of readiness or active planning towards a specific goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is preparing to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that signifies an ongoing process of getting ready for a future action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys the subject's current state of readiness. Its usage spans across various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media, academic writing, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, it's important to focus on the present continuous tense and avoid applying it to past actions. Alternative options, such as "is getting ready to" or "is about to", can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is getting ready to

Focuses on the process of becoming ready, similar to preparing.

is about to

Indicates imminence, a sense of something happening very soon.

is on the verge of

Suggests a point of nearly crossing over into a new state or action.

is planning to

Emphasizes the planning stage before the action.

intends to

Highlights the intention or purpose behind the action.

is poised to

Implies a state of balance and readiness, often for something significant.

is set to

Suggests a scheduled or arranged future event.

is anticipating

Focuses on the expectation and looking forward to something.

is gearing up for

Implies active preparation and mobilization of resources.

is making arrangements to

Highlights the act of organizing and setting up for a future event.

FAQs

How can I use "is preparing to" in a sentence?

Use "is preparing to" to indicate that someone or something is currently making arrangements or taking steps to be ready for a future event. For example, "The company is preparing to launch its new product next month".

What are some alternatives to "is preparing to"?

You can use alternatives like "is getting ready to", "is about to", or "is planning to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "is preparing to" and "is going to"?

"Is preparing to" emphasizes the active process of getting ready, while "is going to" simply indicates a future intention or event. "The chef is preparing to cook a special meal" suggests active steps, while "The chef is going to cook a special meal" only states the intention.

Is it correct to say "is prepare to" instead of "is preparing to"?

No, "is prepare to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "is preparing to", using the present continuous tense to indicate an ongoing action leading to a future event. The infinitive form requires "to prepare".