preparing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preparing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making something ready or getting ready for an event or task. Example: "She is preparing for her final exams by studying every night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The accountant's fees claimed were for preparing his office accounts to ensure the correct amount of tax was paid.

The Guardian

In a clear signal the Rudd government is preparing for a crackdown on people smugglers ahead of the federal election, Carr said his department was preparing "up to date" information for the immigration tribunals about the political situation in the countries from which refugee applicants come, so they did not approve those who had no genuine fear of persecution.

The Guardian

In terms of preparing cities to be as disaster-resilient as possible, the UN's office for disaster risk reduction launched its Making Cities Resilient campaign in 2010, urging local governments to raise disaster resilience awareness among citizens, invest in risk-reduction activities, and build more safely.

The Guardian

We're preparing for them to come in in quite a heavy-handed way.

The Guardian

One of the protesters, Natalie Fiennes, 23, a postgraduate student, said: "We're preparing for the police.

The Guardian

Britain's biggest pharmaceutical company is preparing to sell £3bn worth of swine flu drugs this year, it emerged today.

The Guardian - Business

The protesters are now preparing for "a battle over detail" to ensure that their biggest concerns are not eclipsed in forthcoming negotiations.

The Guardian

Now, under pressure from the UK government and French nuclear operator EDF, the commission is preparing to perform a U-turn".

The Guardian

Ofsted inspections can not only mean stomach cramps and sleepless nights for many teachers, but also long hours spent preparing for the event.

The Guardian

June 12 , 1944This triumphal reel includes many of the iconic scenes of the invasion, including soldiers preparing to step out of Higgins boats and the scene of two soldiers being shot on the beach.

The Guardian

Unaware of the LRA's arrival, her husband and son began preparing a meal in their hut.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preparing", consider the specific context to ensure the verb tense and form align with the intended meaning. For instance, use the present continuous for ongoing actions (e.g., "They are preparing the report") and the infinitive for future plans (e.g., "We are preparing to launch the product").

Common error

Avoid incorrect preposition usage after "preparing". While "preparing for" is common, be precise. For instance, use "preparing a meal" (no preposition) rather than "preparing for a meal" if you mean cooking the meal itself, not just getting ready to eat.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "preparing" is as a verb, specifically the present participle form. This form is used in continuous tenses (e.g., "is preparing") and as a gerund (e.g., "preparing cities"). As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is suitable for standard use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "preparing" functions as a versatile verb form used to describe the action of getting ready. As Ludwig confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it commonly appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember to choose the correct preposition (e.g., "preparing for" vs. "preparing to") and to consider the specific context to maintain clarity and precision. Ludwig's examples and analysis underscore its broad applicability and straightforward usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting ready

Focuses on the action of becoming ready, emphasizing the process rather than the state.

making arrangements

Highlights the act of organizing and planning necessary steps.

getting set

Implies a final stage of preparation, almost ready to begin.

laying the groundwork

Emphasizes establishing a foundation or preliminary steps.

gearing up

Suggests intensifying efforts to get ready, often for a significant event.

arranging

Focuses on the organizational aspect of preparation.

making provisions

Highlights providing necessary resources or supplies in advance.

setting up

Implies configuring or establishing something for future use.

prepping

A shorter, more informal version of "preparing".

formulating

Focuses on the creation of a plan or strategy

FAQs

How do I use "preparing" in a sentence?

Use "preparing" to describe the action of getting ready for something. For example, "She is preparing for her presentation" or "They are preparing dinner".

What are some alternatives to "preparing"?

You can use alternatives like "getting ready", "arranging", or "gearing up" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "preparing to" or "preparing for"?

Both "preparing to" and "preparing for" are correct, but they have different meanings. "Preparing to" is used when you are getting ready to do something (e.g., "preparing to leave"), while "preparing for" is used when you are getting ready for an event or situation (e.g., "preparing for the test").

What's the difference between "preparing" and "preparation"?

"Preparing" is a verb describing the action of getting ready. "Preparation" is a noun referring to the state of being ready or the act of making something ready. For instance, "She is preparing the documents" (verb) versus "The preparation took several hours" (noun).