prepare a way

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prepare a way" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of making arrangements or creating a path for something to happen, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The team worked tirelessly to prepare a way for the new project to launch smoothly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The report said UK and Scottish ministers have a duty to "prepare a way forward" on pension arrangements in the event of independence.

BBC

In that scenario, Mrs Merkel thought Mr Juncker might not be ideal and tried to prepare a way for him to be ditched, but the reaction of the German press, particularly Bild, got in the way.

BBC

"Both governments have a duty to engage with citizens and other pensions stakeholders to prepare a way forward, in advance of the referendum, and agree transitional arrangements to be implemented in case of a 'yes' vote".

BBC

If you've lost a few matches in the past, review your methods and prepare a way out of similar situations.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

However, the local news media run stories of Real's president preparing a way to keep on paying you more than your €12 million annual salary, without the 52 percent tax that other top earners must pay to the government.

The New York Times - Sports

The chef, Adam Woodfield, will prepare a duck seven ways for a group of four or more.

The New York Times

Either way, prepare a baking sheet by lining it with aluminum foil.

WikiHow

A healthy way to prepare a plantain is to steam it.

Huffington Post

One of the easiest ways to prepare a superfood-packed meal is a simple salad.

Huffington Post

This is one of the most classic ways to prepare a brisket.

WikiHow

But she was prepared, in a way.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prepare a way" when you want to express the idea of creating the conditions or opportunities for something to happen. It suggests forethought and planning.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "prepare a way" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "make arrangements" or "find a solution" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prepare a way" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes the action of creating conditions or opportunities for something to occur. Ludwig shows examples illustrating this action in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prepare a way" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of creating conditions or opportunities for something to happen. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While considered rare in frequency, its register varies from neutral to formal. Best practice involves using it when highlighting the planned creation of opportunities, though in casual settings, simpler alternatives are preferable. As analyzed, its linguistic function involves describing an action, while its communicative purpose expresses intent and effort. Overall, the phrase effectively conveys a sense of proactive planning across various contexts. The top authoritative sources containing "prepare a way" are BBC, WikiHow, The New York Times - Sports, The New York Times and Huffington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lay the groundwork

Emphasizes the preparatory steps taken before a larger project or event.

pave the path

Suggests removing obstacles and making progress easier.

establish a route

Implies creating a literal or figurative path for movement or progress.

forge a path

Implies creating something new and overcoming challenges.

devise a method

Focuses on creating a specific plan or technique, rather than a general approach.

clear a path

Highlights the removal of obstacles.

formulate a plan

Implies a detailed and structured approach.

develop a strategy

Highlights the creation of a comprehensive plan to achieve a specific goal.

craft a strategy

Emphasizes skill and care in developing a plan.

find a solution

Focuses on resolving a problem rather than creating a general opportunity.

FAQs

How can I use "prepare a way" in a sentence?

You can use "prepare a way" to describe making arrangements or creating opportunities for something to happen. For example, "The government needs to "prepare a way" for economic recovery after the crisis".

What's a more informal way to say "prepare a way"?

In more casual contexts, consider using phrases like "make arrangements", "find a solution", or "set things up" as alternatives to ""prepare a way"".

Is it better to say "prepare the way" or "prepare a way"?

Both "prepare the way" and ""prepare a way"" are grammatically correct, but "prepare the way" is more common and often used when referring to a specific, predetermined path or outcome. "Prepare a way" suggests creating one of possibly multiple options.

What's the difference between "prepare a way" and "pave the way"?

"Prepare a way" implies making arrangements or creating opportunities, while "pave the way" suggests removing obstacles and making progress easier or more certain. "Pave the way" is a stronger expression.