preparing to land

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "preparing to land" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to aviation, such as when an aircraft is getting ready to touch down at an airport. Example: "The pilot announced that we are now preparing to land, so please fasten your seatbelts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The Chinook was preparing to land and unload its reinforcements when it crashed.

Independent

With its space shuttle in retirement, NASA is now preparing to land humans on Mars.

The New York Times

Their yard lit up as if a helicopter were preparing to land on it.

The New Yorker

Several pilots complained that they had spotted the drones when they were busy preparing to land.

The Guardian - Tech

When preparing to land they tend to select a background coloration that matches their own colour pattern.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Brushed-steel rings suspended from the ceiling, like little spaceships preparing to land, strike a modernist note.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

F1 Shuttle to Head Home The crew of the space shuttle Endeavour prepared to land today.

The New York Times

Both planes had been cleared to descend to 5,000 feet as they prepared to land at different airports.

The New York Times

James Collins, 54, also a pilot, stood on the ground listening to his mother as she prepared to land the plane.

The New York Times

The old joke has the airline pilot addressing his passengers as they prepare to land at Auckland airport.

The Guardian - Travel

Lao Airlines flight QV301 crashed on Wednesday as it prepared to land in stormy weather at Pakse airport in southern Laos.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "preparing to land", ensure the context clearly indicates what is getting ready to land, such as an aircraft, spacecraft, or even figuratively, a metaphorical concept or plan.

Common error

Avoid using "preparing to land" in contexts where it's unclear what is landing. Always provide sufficient context to prevent confusion, such as specifying "the plane is preparing to land" rather than just "preparing to land".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preparing to land" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to describe an ongoing action. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it modifies nouns or verbs, indicating a state of readiness or an action in progress.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preparing to land" is a grammatically correct and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the action of getting ready for a landing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, but also found in encyclopedias and wiki sources. While its register is neutral, clarity is key to avoiding ambiguity. Semantically related alternatives include "getting ready to touch down" and "approaching the runway". This phrase effectively communicates the process of preparing for a landing, whether literal or metaphorical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting ready to touch down

Replaces "preparing" with "getting ready" and "land" with "touch down", focusing on the final act of landing.

approaching the runway

Emphasizes the action of coming closer to the landing area.

on final approach

Uses aviation terminology to indicate the last stage before landing.

about to set down

Replaces "land" with "set down", indicating the impending action of placing the aircraft on the ground.

descending for landing

Focuses on the downward motion as part of the landing process.

coming in to land

Uses a slightly more colloquial expression to mean the same thing.

in the process of landing

Highlights the ongoing activity of the landing procedure.

getting into landing configuration

Focuses on the adjustments being made to the aircraft for landing.

lining up for touchdown

Emphasizes aligning the aircraft with the runway before landing.

making preparations for landing

Adds emphasis to the act of making preparations.

FAQs

How can I use "preparing to land" in a sentence?

You can use "preparing to land" to describe the action of an aircraft or spacecraft getting ready to touch down. For example, "The pilot announced that the plane was "preparing to land"." It can also be used metaphorically.

What are some alternatives to "preparing to land"?

You can use alternatives like "getting ready to touch down", "approaching the runway", or "on final approach", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "preparing to land" in formal writing?

Yes, "preparing to land" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in contexts related to aviation, space travel, or technical reports. Its neutral tone and clear meaning make it suitable for professional communication.

What's the difference between "preparing to land" and "about to land"?

"Preparing to land" describes the process of getting ready for landing, while "about to land" suggests that the landing is imminent and will happen very soon. The former implies a series of actions, while the latter indicates an immediate future event.