on the ready

USAGE SUMMARY

"on the ready" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically means to be prepared or to be on alert. For example, you could say, "The firefighter was on the ready as he waited for his next call."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

You were on the ready with that one.

Vice

BRAINS Driving back with all that beef staring at me didn't do much to stave off the hunger, so I stopped at a really la-ti-da French place to take care of one of the few things the slaughterhouse didn't have on the ready: Calf's brain.

Vice

The city was surrounded by police and state troopers on the ready.

The Guardian

You can find more advice on the Ready to Rent website.

The Guardian

Everything you list — transportation, food, power, technology, manufacturing — currently depends almost entirely on the ready availability of inexpensive fossil fuels.

The New Yorker

"In 2008, I was an early supporter of then-Senator Obama's campaign," Ms. McCaskill said in a statement on the Ready for Hillary Web site.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Aniline was polymerized in the presence of HPA in the one-step preparation method, while HPA was immobilized on the ready-made PANI support in the two-step method.

Catalysis Today

And if you are not going to make your own, then now's the time to stock up on the ready-made brands.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

More significant is the recession's effect on the ready-to-wear collections: it may be cold outside but spring/summer's designs are making their way into stores.

Independent

When I first saw "Sight Unseen," this conclusion seemed to coast a little too smoothly on the ready-made resonance of young, idealistic characters destined to tarnish.

The New York Times

Disturbed has an armored, protected sound as well; slower, more forthrightly pop, it runs on the ready-for-Broadway voice and brooding presence of its beefy singer, David Draiman, who paced the stage haughtily as if inspecting a barracks.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the ready" to emphasize a state of immediate preparedness or availability, especially when describing actions or resources that are readily accessible for a specific purpose. For example: "The emergency services were on the ready to respond to the disaster."

Common error

Avoid using "on the ready" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or technical language might be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "prepared", "available", or "operational" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the ready" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of preparedness or availability. It specifies that someone or something is prepared and immediately available for action. Ludwig confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on the ready" is a prepositional phrase indicating preparedness and immediate availability. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media, but also appears in Science and Wiki contexts. While it conveys a sense of active readiness, it's important to consider the level of formality when choosing to use this phrase. Alternatives like "prepared" or "at the ready" may be more suitable in certain contexts. The phrase functions to assure the audience that someone or something is in a state of active readiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the ready

Indicates being immediately available and prepared.

on standby

Similar to 'standing by', indicating readiness for use or action.

prepared

A general term indicating readiness for a specific event or task.

standing by

Describes a state of being ready and waiting for instructions or action.

all set

A colloquial phrase indicating that everything is ready.

in a state of readiness

A more formal way to express being prepared.

alert

Describes being watchful and prepared for potential issues.

geared up

Suggests being fully prepared, often with enthusiasm or anticipation.

vigilant

Implies being keenly watchful to detect danger or something out of the ordinary.

equipped

Focuses on having the necessary resources and tools available.

FAQs

How can I use "on the ready" in a sentence?

You can use "on the ready" to describe someone or something that is prepared and available for immediate action. For example: "The medical team was "at the ready" to assist the injured."

What's the difference between "on the ready" and "ready"?

"Ready" simply means prepared, while "on the ready" implies a state of alert and immediate availability. It adds a sense of active preparedness, as if waiting for a cue to act.

What are some alternatives to "on the ready"?

Some alternatives include "prepared", "at the ready", "standing by", or "on standby". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "on the ready" appropriate for formal writing?

While "on the ready" is generally acceptable, it may be more suitable for news reporting or general communication. In formal writing, consider more precise or technical alternatives depending on the specific context.