preparation work

USAGE SUMMARY

"preparation work" is correct and can be used in written English.
It usually refers to the process of preparing or getting something ready, either mentally or physically. For example, "Much of my weekend was spent on preparation work for my upcoming meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

We did all our preparation work as best we could".

The Guardian - Sport

"The more cases you have, the more preparation work you have".

The Guardian

Still, it took six months of preparation work before filming could begin.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

By this we mean, do not do any preparation work before starting to cook.

The New York Times - Food

As soon as it comes on, students rush from dormitories to classrooms to complete preparation work.

The New York Times

And, it seems, only as good as the preparation work you put in.

The New York Times

"Preparation work for the fence should be completed by next Wednesday," he said.

The Guardian

One big difference is his preparation work with his second, Kris Littlejohn, a master.

The New York Times

"Preparation work for the Asian Games is basically completed; it has entered the final stage.

The New York Times - Sports

But all countries admitted that most of the preparation work for Paris still remains to be done.

The Guardian

First there was Arjen Robben's at the start of extra time, and it's then that the preparation work paid off.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preparation work" to clearly indicate the initial phase of a project or task where planning and arrangement are crucial for success.

Common error

While generally acceptable, consider stronger verbs or more specific nouns instead of "preparation work" in formal writing to enhance precision and impact. For example, use "planning phase", "initial setup", or "preliminary arrangements".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preparation work" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the activities undertaken to prepare for a task, event, or project. Ludwig confirms its usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preparation work" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes the actions undertaken to get ready for a task or event. As supported by Ludwig, it spans various contexts, from news and media to science and business. While generally suitable, consider more specific synonyms in formal writing for enhanced precision. Common alternative terms include "preparatory work", "preparations", and "advance work". Remember to avoid overusing the phrase in highly formal contexts and to consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing a synonym.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preparatory work

Replaces "preparation" with its adjective form, maintaining a similar meaning.

preparations

Shortened form of "preparation work", focusing on the activities themselves.

advance work

Emphasizes that the work is done ahead of time.

preliminary work

Highlights the work being at the beginning of a process.

groundwork

Implies laying a foundation for something.

planning

Focuses on the planning aspect of preparation.

arrangements

Highlights the organizational aspect of getting things ready.

preparatory measures

More formal and specific, referring to actions taken in preparation.

getting ready

Informal and emphasizes the process of becoming prepared.

laying the groundwork

Similar to groundwork, emphasizes establishing a base.

FAQs

How can I use "preparation work" in a sentence?

You can use "preparation work" to describe activities completed to get ready for something. For example, "The team dedicated several weeks to the preparation work before launching the new product".

What are some alternatives to "preparation work"?

You can use alternatives like "preparatory work", "preparations", or "advance work" depending on the context.

Is "preparation work" formal or informal?

"Preparation work" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider more specific synonyms for greater impact.

What's the difference between "preparation work" and "groundwork"?

"Preparation work" is a general term for getting ready, while "groundwork" specifically refers to laying the foundation for a project or task. The two terms can be interchangeable but not in all cases.