prepare ourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "prepare ourselves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the need to be prepared for something. For example, "We must prepare ourselves for the upcoming challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He added, "We have decided to prepare ourselves and be more vigilant".

The New York Times

We must prepare ourselves for a bloody year.

Forbes

We have to prepare ourselves".

The New Yorker

We have to prepare ourselves for that".

Independent

What can we do to prepare ourselves?

The New York Times

"But we need to prepare ourselves for changes".

The New York Times - Travel

We prepare ourselves for outrage, and it never comes.

The New Yorker

And at the same time we must prepare ourselves".

The New York Times

We should prepare ourselves for more such sombre tales.

The Guardian - Sport

So we must prepare ourselves as best we can.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have to prepare ourselves for handling our business".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prepare ourselves" when you want to emphasize a collective effort to get ready for something, whether it's a challenge, an event, or a change.

Common error

Avoid using "prepare ourselves" without specifying what we are preparing for. Always provide context to make the phrase meaningful and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prepare ourselves" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It indicates the act of making oneself or a group ready for something. It is commonly used to express the need to anticipate or get ready for an event, situation, or challenge, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prepare ourselves" is a versatile and frequently used expression to convey the need for readiness and anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure to specify what you are preparing for to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "ready ourselves", "brace ourselves", and "gear up" can provide different nuances depending on the situation. Remember to use it when you are talking about collective effort. The phrase is considered neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ready ourselves

This alternative is a more direct synonym, emphasizing the act of making oneself ready.

get ready

This is a simpler and more general alternative, suitable for various contexts.

gear up

This is a more informal and active alternative, suggesting a process of equipping or energizing oneself.

steel ourselves

This alternative emphasizes mental and emotional fortitude in anticipation of something difficult.

brace ourselves

This suggests preparing for a shock or impact, either physical or emotional.

make preparations

This focuses on the act of making arrangements and taking necessary steps in advance.

equip ourselves

This emphasizes providing oneself with the necessary tools or resources.

fortify ourselves

This alternative suggests strengthening oneself against potential threats or challenges.

arrange things

Suggests preparing through logistics and organization for an event.

train ourselves

Implies preparing through learning and getting skills necessary.

FAQs

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

You can use "prepare ourselves" to indicate that a group is getting ready for something, as in "We must "prepare ourselves" for the upcoming changes".

What is a more formal alternative to "prepare ourselves"?

A more formal alternative to "prepare ourselves" could be to "make preparations", which emphasizes the act of arranging and planning.

Is "prepare ourselves" appropriate for all situations?

While generally versatile, "prepare ourselves" may not be suitable for highly informal contexts. In such cases, consider using "get ready" or "gear up".

What's the difference between "prepare ourselves" and "brace ourselves"?

"Prepare ourselves" implies a general readiness, while "brace ourselves" suggests preparing for something unpleasant or challenging. Therefore, "brace ourselves" has a more specific connotation of anticipating a negative impact.