preparatory to using

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preparatory to using" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or steps taken in advance of utilizing something. Example: "Preparatory to using the new software, the team attended a training session to familiarize themselves with its features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Then it may threaten to "uncan" the plutonium rods there, preparatory to using them to make nuclear bombs.

The New York Times

Castles and fortified cities could eventually succumb to starvation or to an assault using battering rams, catapults, and mining (also known as sapping, a process in which tunnels are dug beneath fortification walls preparatory to using fire or explosives to collapse the structure), but progress in siege warfare was almost always slow and painful.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tai chi offers the surfer both a powerful preparatory practice to use before getting into the water and a perfect wind down that helps ameliorate the long-term, negative effects of surfing on the muscles and spine.

Huffington Post

All types of TK Media are ready-to-use; they do not require preparatory work prior to use.

BMC Infectious Diseases

But being fully prepared means allowing teachers to use preparatory periods, the officials say.

The New York Times

The data showed that action-specific social-cognitive factors of preparatory behavior explained preparatory behavior, beyond the decision to use condoms.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

By November, the script was still unfinished as the writers did not want director Gore Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer to compromise what they had written, so Verbinski worked with James Byrkit to storyboard major sequences without need of a script, while Elliott and Rossio wrote a "preparatory" script for the crew to use before they finished the script they were happy with.

Wikipedia

Respondents have to specify whether they have the intention to use a specific preparatory plan in order to adopt the particular healthy lifestyle.

BMC Public Health

We knew that it was one thing to use the system during preparatory training classes and another to use it in a live setting.

Harvard Business Review

Based on the preceding discussion, however, we expect that having a goal intention to use condoms does not suffice to ensure the initiation of preparatory actions.

Archives of Sexual Behavior

Developing a comprehensive case-based preparatory package using research findings could help to make HCPs aware of the issues that exist, culturally, politically, and socially (Hunt et al. 2011).

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "preparatory to using" when you want to emphasize the formal or planned nature of the preparation. It's suitable for technical, legal, or official contexts where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "preparatory to using" in casual or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "before using" or "to prepare for using" are often more appropriate and natural in everyday communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preparatory to using" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating an action or state that comes before the act of using something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preparatory to using" is a prepositional phrase indicating actions taken in advance of utilizing something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct, though formal, and is best suited for contexts that demand precision, such as technical writing or official documentation. While grammatically sound, simpler alternatives such as "before using" or "to prepare for using" may be more appropriate in less formal settings. The phrase appears most often in News & Media and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

before using

A more concise and direct way of expressing the sequence of events.

prior to using

Synonymous with "before using", but maintains a slightly more formal tone.

in preparation for using

Replaces the adjective "preparatory" with the noun "preparation" and adds the preposition "in".

ahead of using

Indicates taking steps or measures before the actual use.

to prepare for using

Uses an infinitive phrase to express the purpose of the preparatory action.

as a prelude to using

Substitutes "preparatory" with "prelude", indicating something that precedes and introduces.

as an initial step to using

Clarifies that the preparatory action is the first step in a process.

in anticipation of using

Emphasizes the expectation of using something, adding a sense of looking forward.

in readiness for using

Focuses on being ready and prepared for the act of using.

with a view to using

Highlights the intention or purpose behind the preparatory actions.

FAQs

What does "preparatory to using" mean?

The phrase "preparatory to using" means taking steps or actions in advance before utilizing something. It suggests planning and preparation before the actual use.

What can I say instead of "preparatory to using"?

You can use alternatives like "before using", "prior to using", or "in preparation for using" depending on the context.

Is "preparatory to use" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "preparatory to use" is less common and slightly less grammatically sound than "preparatory to using". The gerund form "using" is more idiomatic after the preposition "to" in this context.

How formal is the phrase "preparatory to using"?

The phrase "preparatory to using" is considered quite formal. In less formal contexts, it's better to opt for simpler alternatives like "before using" or "to prepare for using".