prepares to start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prepares to start" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing someone or something getting ready to begin an action or event. Example: "The team prepares to start the project as soon as they receive the necessary funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Now, as the TV industry prepares to start its annual advertising sales efforts, everyone, it seems, wants to know youth.

The New York Times

AS Madison Avenue prepares to start a long holiday weekend, accounts are changing agencies and agencies are making changes.

The New York Times

Thankfully though it looks like her publicity trail is coming to an end as she prepares to start her new life as a baby.

Independent

But perhaps that is all going to change as the A-League prepares to start its eighth season on Oct. 5.

The New York Times

But as Google prepares to start selling a cheaper, mass-market version of Glass, possibly later this year, society seems divided about whether the device is welcome.

The Guardian - Tech

A tall figure with a ponytail and a goatee makes his way on to the stage and prepares to start his acceptance speech.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

She is preparing to start chemotherapy.

The New York Times

Are they prepared to start over?

The New York Times - Arts

She also wasn't prepared to start taking photographs.

The New York Times

Wilson should be prepared to start tonight and tomorrow, too.

The New York Times - Sports

When I visited Lagos, Afolayan was preparing to start shooting his follow-up to "The Figurine".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "prepares to start" when you want to emphasize the planning or actions taken before beginning something, adding a sense of anticipation or readiness.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions that weaken the impact of the phrase. Instead of saying "preparations are being made to start", use the active form: "the team prepares to start".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prepares to start" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of making ready for commencement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable. It signifies that an entity is actively making arrangements or taking necessary steps before initiating an action or event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prepares to start" is a commonly used verbal phrase that indicates an active state of getting ready for an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Sport reporting, it carries a neutral to professional register, signifying anticipation and readiness. When writing, it's important to use the active voice and avoid overly passive constructions. For alternative expressions, consider options like "is getting ready to begin" or "is gearing up to commence", always adapting the choice to the intended tone and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is getting ready to begin

Uses a more informal tone by employing "getting ready" instead of "prepares".

is gearing up to commence

Employs a more active and energetic verb ("gearing up") and a formal synonym for "start" ("commence").

is about to initiate

Focuses on the imminence of the action using "about to" and replaces "start" with "initiate".

is on the verge of beginning

Highlights the closeness to the starting point by using "on the verge of".

is setting the stage to launch

Uses a metaphorical expression, "setting the stage", and replaces "start" with "launch", suggesting a more significant beginning.

is making preparations to get underway

Rephrases the action with "making preparations" and uses the idiomatic expression "get underway".

is laying the groundwork to kick off

Implies foundational work is being done before the start, using "laying the groundwork" and the informal "kick off".

is readying itself to proceed

Uses a more formal and reflexive structure with "readying itself" and "proceed".

is shaping up to inaugurate

Suggests a formal and significant start, using "shaping up" and "inaugurate".

is anticipating the commencement of

Focuses on the expectation of the start, rather than the preparation, using "anticipating the commencement of".

FAQs

How can I use "prepares to start" in a sentence?

Use "prepares to start" to indicate the act of getting ready to begin an activity or event. For example, "The company prepares to start its new marketing campaign next quarter".

What can I say instead of "prepares to start"?

You can use alternatives like "is getting ready to begin", "is gearing up to commence", or "is about to initiate" depending on the context.

Is "prepares to start" formal or informal?

"Prepares to start" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The specific tone depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "prepares to start" and "is going to start"?

"Prepares to start" implies a degree of planning and action taken beforehand, whereas "is going to start" simply indicates a future action without necessarily implying preparation. "The team "prepares to start"" suggests they are actively getting ready; "The team is going to start" simply means they will begin at some point.