poised to begin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "poised to begin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate readiness or preparedness to start something, often in a formal or literary context. Example: "The team is poised to begin the project as soon as the funding is approved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And revelry was poised to begin.

The New York Times - Travel

A Japanese operation, Jetstar Japan, is poised to begin service next month.

The New York Times

Excitement is reaching fever pitch in Brazil as the tournament is poised to begin.

The Guardian - Sport

The four dancers seem poised to begin the second acts of their careers.

The New York Times

But Rodgers survived and is poised to begin a fourth season in the Anfield hot seat.

The Guardian - Sport

In a small, stuffy Soho recording studio, the musicians were poised to begin.

The Guardian - Music

Now, after months of publicity, the tower is poised to begin a new life.

The New York Times

He is now poised to begin on a biopic of Nelson Mandela.

The Guardian - Opinion

I told you, just give me one second," she scolds the doctors poised to begin.

The New York Times

He hunts down the clicker, aims at the VCR, poised to begin the film.

The New York Times - Magazine

Palm Beach, poised to begin its hand recount today, had to put it off yet again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "poised to begin" to create a sense of anticipation or formality, especially when describing events or projects with significant implications.

Common error

Avoid using "poised to begin" in casual conversation or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "about to start" or "ready to go".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poised to begin" primarily functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of readiness or preparedness for an action. Ludwig examples highlight its use in describing entities or events that are on the brink of commencing. It often conveys a sense of anticipation or imminence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "poised to begin" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating readiness or preparation for an upcoming action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, but it is most prevalent in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal communication and is used to create anticipation. When aiming for less formal alternatives, phrases like "about to start" or "ready to go" offer simpler options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

about to start

Focuses on the imminence of the action starting.

on the verge of starting

Emphasizes being at the edge or brink of beginning.

ready to commence

More formal, suggesting a prepared state for beginning.

set to initiate

Highlights the planned or scheduled start of something.

gearing up to begin

Focuses on the preparation process before starting.

preparing to launch

Suggests a more significant or formal start.

on the cusp of beginning

Similar to 'verge', but slightly more figurative.

waiting to start

Highlights the act of waiting for the opportune moment.

at the starting line

Metaphorical, evoking a race or competition.

in a position to commence

More descriptive, elaborates on readiness and capability.

FAQs

What does "poised to begin" mean?

The phrase "poised to begin" means ready and prepared to start something. It suggests a state of anticipation and readiness for an action or event to commence.

How can I use "poised to begin" in a sentence?

You can use "poised to begin" to describe a situation where something is about to start. For example, "The company is "poised to begin" a new marketing campaign next month."

What can I say instead of "poised to begin"?

You can use alternatives like "about to start", "ready to commence", or "set to initiate" depending on the context.

Is "poised to begin" formal or informal?

The phrase "poised to begin" leans towards the formal side. In more casual settings, alternatives like "about to start" or "ready to go" might be more appropriate.