readied myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "readied myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of preparing oneself mentally or physically for an upcoming task or event. Example: "Before the big presentation, I readied myself by reviewing my notes and practicing my speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

I've readied myself for this moment, I know what I have to say.

The Guardian

At that point, I readied myself to take the criticism and to dive into client-salvage mode — but what came next was a tribute to our account team.

The New York Times

As a native New Yorker, I readied myself for mutiny, but no one behind me peeped, not even the woman whose turn it was.

The New York Times

The South Bank, cold, grey and severe, seemed to echo all my prejudices as I dodged the swirling litter around the door, and readied myself for a therapeutic touch of Norse rigor.

The Guardian - Arts

Impatience won out over good judgment, and I readied myself to pass the truck and cut back in front of it in time to make the exit for the northbound Major Deegan.

The New York Times

Long, long ago, during the preppy revolution of the early 1980s (well documented by Lisa Birnbach in "The Official Preppy Handbook," her madras-covered tome of the time), I readied myself to head off to college, leaving the barren, southern Arizona desert for the verdant campus quads of Virginia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Very carefully, readying myself, I put my glass down on the table.

The New Yorker

IT was Saturday night and I was readying myself for barhopping, which is not as simple as it sounds.

The New York Times - Travel

So I was readying myself physically and emotionally, discussing options with doctors, researching alternative medicine, and mapping my hormones for estrogen or progesterone replacement.

Independent

But as sure as I am that I have never misquoted someone, I was not panicking, nor was I readying myself to run.

The New York Times

I hope that my students have held onto the knowledge that we nurtured before the strike, but I am readying myself to make good whatever's been lost during the strike's duration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and audience when choosing between "readied myself" and simpler alternatives like "prepared myself". "Readied myself" can be particularly effective in narrative or descriptive writing to enhance the tone.

Common error

Avoid using "readied myself" in extremely casual or informal settings where it might sound overly stilted or pretentious. Simpler alternatives like "got ready" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "readied myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of readying is directed back to the subject. As Ludwig confirms, it is a valid and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "readied myself" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate preparation for an upcoming event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is well-regarded and appropriate for use in writing. It frequently appears in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. While alternatives like "prepared myself" or "got myself ready" exist, "readied myself" adds a touch of formality and emphasis. Therefore, its a reliable expression to enhance written pieces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Prepared myself

A more direct and common synonym using the verb "prepared".

Got myself ready

An informal alternative using "got" as an auxiliary verb.

Made myself ready

A slightly more formal variation using "made" instead of "got".

Braced myself

Implies preparing for something unpleasant or difficult.

Steeled myself

Similar to "braced myself" but suggests mental fortitude.

Girded my loins

An idiomatic expression meaning to prepare for a challenge.

Equipped myself

Focuses on providing oneself with necessary tools or resources.

Composed myself

Implies regaining one's composure or calmness.

Arranged myself

Focuses on physical positioning or adjustment.

Set myself up

Suggests preparing a specific environment or situation.

FAQs

What does "readied myself" mean?

The phrase "readied myself" means to have prepared oneself, either mentally or physically, for something that is about to happen. It suggests a state of readiness and anticipation.

What can I say instead of "readied myself"?

You can use alternatives like "prepared myself", "got myself ready", or "braced myself" depending on the context.

Is "readied myself" formal or informal?

"Readied myself" is generally considered more formal than phrases like "got myself ready" but less formal than phrases like "I steeled myself". The level of formality depends on the context.

How to use "readied myself" in a sentence?

You can use "readied myself" in a sentence like, "As the music began, I "readied myself" for the performance."