prime them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prime them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are preparing or getting someone ready for a specific task or situation. Example: "Before the presentation, make sure to prime them with the key points they need to cover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Harvey Weinstein is notorious for making extensive cuts to his movies in order to prime them for the box office.

Independent

They are doused with a marinade of enzymes that prime them for imminent fertilization and then sealed in small plastic test tubes before being shipped overnight to Worcester.

The New York Times - Magazine

After laying a detonating cord, the corps team will prime them with C-4 explosives before installing the blasting cap and pushing the button — electronically, and from a safe distance.

The New York Times

"I want to get a bunch of cardboard boxes of various sizes and just prime them white, then roll on blue stripes — very graphic — and paint some huge red hearts on top of that.

The New Yorker

In another experiment, rats were treated with a chemical carcinogen in utero (to "prime" them to develop brain tumors) and then exposed to radiant energy comparable to cellphone radiation for two hours per day, four days a week, for 22 months.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he did acknowledge that he would occasionally grill contestants about their votes to prime them for entertaining responses during later on-camera interviews -- and he seems to imply that Mr. Been may have misread that grilling as a suggestion to vote a certain way.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

DAY OF RECKONING I might start priming them for homework at breakfast.

The New York Times

The training, she said, primes them to interview students (and teachers, if necessary) in a more conscious and organized way.

The New Yorker

It primes them to fire, ramping up their readiness, and the hope is that learning does the rest.

The Guardian

Handling a gun stirs a hormonal reaction in men that primes them for aggression, new research suggests.

The New York Times - Health

The hopes for such a revolution have fueled a market frenzy around social networks — and have also primed them for a fall.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prime them", ensure the context clearly indicates what they are being prepared for. Be specific about the intended outcome or subsequent action.

Common error

Avoid using "prime them" in vague contexts where the preparation lacks a clear purpose. Always specify what the subjects are being primed for to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prime them" functions as a transitive verb phrase, where "prime" is the verb and "them" is the direct object. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to denote the action of preparing or conditioning someone or something for a specific task or event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prime them" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of preparing or conditioning someone or something for a specific task or event. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. With common applications in News & Media and Science, its formality is generally neutral, though context dictates specific suitability. For alternative phrasing, consider "prepare them" or "get them ready". When employing "prime them", ensure clarity by explicitly stating the purpose of preparation to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare them

This alternative replaces "prime" with a more general term for getting ready.

ready them

This alternative uses a more direct and concise verb.

get them ready

This is a more informal and conversational alternative.

set them up

This alternative emphasizes the arrangement or configuration aspect of preparation.

prepare them beforehand

It specifies that the preparation occurs in advance.

equip them

This alternative focuses on providing necessary resources or skills.

condition them

This alternative suggests a gradual process of training or adaptation.

indoctrinate them

This alternative implies instilling specific beliefs or values (use with caution).

brief them

This alternative suggests providing concise information or instructions.

educate them

This alternative refers to giving someone new knowledge or new information.

FAQs

How can I use "prime them" in a sentence?

Use "prime them" when you want to describe preparing someone or something for a specific task or event. For example, "The coach worked to prime them for the championship game".

What's a good alternative to "prime them"?

Depending on the context, you can use "prepare them", "get them ready", or "condition them" as alternatives to "prime them".

Is it formal to use "prime them"?

"Prime them" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but alternatives like "prepare them" might be more suitable for professional or academic writing. The level of formality depends on the specific situation.

What does it mean to "prime" someone?

To "prime" someone means to prepare them for a specific task or make them more receptive to something. It involves setting them up or getting them ready to respond in a certain way. See "prepare them".