ready ourselves

USAGE SUMMARY

"ready ourselves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about getting yourself prepared for a certain situation such as a task, assignment, or event. For example: "We need to ready ourselves for the big game tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Honoring such grace in the past, we ready ourselves to receive its like again.

The New Yorker

So we ready ourselves for Maf's wit and wisdom on Marilyn, 1960s America and the Hollywood milieu around whose ankles he yaps.

Independent

Yet we must ready ourselves for a climate Apocalypse and transform our economy in a probably vain attempt to forestall it.

University of California, Berkeley

Once my sister and I regained consciousness, we'd race into the house and ready ourselves for a big helping of Nana's famous biscuits and gravy.

The New Yorker

The fanboy blogosphere (including myself) – and even the great Stan Lee – might need to ready ourselves for a giant egg-on-face moment.

The Guardian - Film

Rather than invest in expensive "vaccines" that will probably end up infecting you anyway, the best way to ready ourselves is with semi-ironic T-shirts that arbitrarily combine two things from pop culture.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

"We were readying ourselves for cancellations, but that hasn't happened," he said.

The New York Times

We readied ourselves for Noel's Christmas Presents by ensuring the Kleenex box was close to hand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We walked 50 metres up our street, stood under a bus shelter to protect us from rain and readied ourselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Again and again, as if taking a cue from Melchior's passing, sequences dim to black before we have readied ourselves.

The New Yorker

While tonight will not be as arduous as a solitary journey across Antartica, we have readied ourselves with trail mix, energy bars, and an open Slack channel.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ready ourselves" when you want to convey a sense of proactive preparation for an upcoming event, task, or challenge. It emphasizes the act of getting fully equipped and mentally aligned for what's ahead.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "ready ourselves" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "get ready" or "prepare" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ready ourselves" primarily functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is performing the action of preparing or getting ready, with the action directed back at themselves. Ludwig provides examples from various contexts, demonstrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ready ourselves" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase signifying preparation and anticipation. According to Ludwig, it finds frequent application across various domains, notably in news and media, with a noticeable presence in academic and professional settings as well. While Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, writers should be aware of its slightly formal tone and adjust their vocabulary accordingly to match the intended audience. The related phrases such as ""prepare ourselves"" and ""gear up for"" offer suitable alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare ourselves

This is a direct synonym, focusing on making preparations.

prepare to

A more concise way to express impending action.

gear up for

This phrase suggests intensifying preparations and enthusiasm.

steel ourselves

Implies mentally and emotionally preparing for something difficult.

brace ourselves

Suggests bracing for impact or a sudden change.

equip ourselves

Focuses on providing the necessary resources or tools.

train ourselves

Highlights the aspect of training and practice.

position ourselves

Focuses on strategically placing ourselves for an upcoming event.

condition ourselves

Emphasizes the process of getting into the right state or habit.

arrange ourselves

Suggests organizing or adjusting ourselves for a specific purpose.

FAQs

What does "ready ourselves" mean?

"Ready ourselves" means to prepare or make oneself ready for something. It implies taking the necessary steps to be in the best possible condition for an upcoming event or task.

How can I use "ready ourselves" in a sentence?

You can use "ready ourselves" in sentences like: "We need to "prepare ourselves" for the challenges ahead", or "As the deadline approaches, we must "gear up for" the final push".

What are some synonyms for "ready ourselves"?

Some synonyms for "ready ourselves" include ""prepare ourselves"", ""gear up for"", and "steel ourselves". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more correct to say "ready ourselves" or "get ready"?

Both "ready ourselves" and "get ready" are correct, but they have different connotations. "Ready ourselves" sounds more formal and emphasizes thorough preparation, while "get ready" is more casual and general.