make ahead of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make ahead of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to preparing something in advance before it is needed or required. Example: "To save time on the day of the event, you can make the appetizers ahead of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

This is a great side dish to make ahead of time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you are determined to make all your food yourself, there's bread you can make ahead of time and keep.

The New York Times

These flatbreads filled with grilled meat (cevapi) and red pepper sauce (ajvar) are the ideal football feast – make ahead of time for an easy-to-assemble dinner.

The Guardian - Sport

But a mashed potato casserole, loaded with butter and milk and topped with cheese, is a good choice to make ahead of time because it can be reheated while the turkey rests.

The New York Times

Simple dishes you can make ahead of time include pasta salad, chilled soup or gazpacho, salsa and guacamole.

BBC

Whether you're looking for something sweet or savory, a little something you can make ahead of time, or the perfect side to complement the meal you're..

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It's particularly good if made ahead of time and reheated a day or two later.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This veggie, beany chilli is best made ahead of time, chilled and reheated a day or two later.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And they know that souffles can be made ahead of time, assembled completely, then simply baked to order.

The New York Times - Food

These pancakes can be made ahead of time and stored, covered, in the fridge for up to four days.

The Guardian

The brine can be made ahead of time and stored in a sealed glass jar on the counter to use when ready to pickle.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions, clearly specify which steps can be "made ahead of time" to assist the reader in planning their preparation schedule.

Common error

Don't "make ahead of time" without considering how long the prepared item will remain fresh and safe to consume. Always factor in proper storage methods and potential spoilage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make ahead of time" functions as a modifier, specifically as an adverbial phrase, indicating when something is done. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable and grammatically sound expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make ahead of time" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe preparing something in advance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts, though it leans toward informal and neutral settings. The most frequent use cases appear in cooking and lifestyle content, where it provides guidance on efficient preparation. Alternatives like "prepare in advance" or "pre-prepare" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis. Remember to consider the shelf life of food when making things ahead of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prepare beforehand

Emphasizes the action of preparing something before it is needed.

Prepare in advance

A more formal way of saying "make ahead of time", focusing on the advance preparation.

Make in advance

Similar to "prepare in advance", but using "make" to highlight the creation aspect.

Prepare early

Highlights the timing of the preparation, emphasizing that it's done early.

Get ready early

Similar to "prepare early", but uses "get ready" emphasizing readiness for the event.

Do in anticipation

Focuses on the anticipatory nature of the action, suggesting something is done in expectation of a future need.

Pre-prepare

A more concise and direct way of saying "prepare in advance".

Prearrange

Emphasizes the arrangement aspect of preparing beforehand, especially for events or schedules.

Set up beforehand

Focuses on the setup or arrangement that occurs before an event or activity.

Establish beforehand

Suggests setting up the conditions or foundation before something else happens.

FAQs

How can I use "make ahead of time" in a sentence?

You can say, "This casserole is great because you can "make ahead of time" and bake it later", or "To save time, "make ahead of time" as much as possible before the party".

What's a good alternative to "make ahead of time"?

Alternatives include "prepare in advance", "prepare beforehand", or simply "pre-prepare" depending on the context.

Is it better to "make ahead of time" or "prepare in advance"?

Both "make ahead of time" and "prepare in advance" are correct and largely interchangeable. "Prepare in advance" may sound slightly more formal, while "make ahead of time" is more conversational.

What are some dishes that are good to "make ahead of time"?

Many casseroles, stews, soups, and desserts are excellent options to "make ahead of time". These dishes often taste better after the flavors have had time to meld.