ready them for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ready them for" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to prepare or make someone or something ready for a particular task, situation, or event. Example: The coach worked tirelessly to ready them for the championship game next week. In this sentence, "ready them for" is used to show that the coach is preparing the team for the upcoming championship game.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

My job was to clean and sandpaper the eggs to ready them for sale.

The New York Times

Both simply need bathing in cold water for a few minutes to soften and ready them for use.

The New York Times - Food

Another was to empty the chambers of dead bodies and to ready them for the next round of killing.

The New York Times

It was the job of shivering children to haul the tins out and ready them for pink Spode platters.

The New York Times

And I often try (I really do) to pack a few components separately and then ready them for microwaving at lunchtime.

The New York Times - Food

Here as at other seaports, dedicated facilities owned by individual automakers, as well as giant multibrand processing centers, shepherd autos arriving from overseas and ready them for buyers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

This may help protect their long-term mental health, and it also readies them for combat.

The New Yorker

The five-minute steaming or boiling that readies pods for fresh eating also readies them for the freezer.

The New York Times - Style

That year he readied them for war as he rebelled against Henry a second time.

Wikipedia

This is good to relax the eyes, refreshing them and readying them for new information.

WikiHow

This will help open up the muscles in your back, readying them for your workout.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ready them for", ensure the context clearly indicates what they are being prepared for. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "ready them for" when the preparation is incomplete or superficial. This phrase suggests a thorough and adequate preparation, so ensure it aligns with the actual state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ready them for" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It requires a direct object (them) and a prepositional phrase (for + noun/gerund) to complete its meaning. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ready them for" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that conveys the action of preparing someone or something for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI confirms this. Its register is generally neutral, and it frequently appears in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines what is being prepared for, and avoid using it when the preparation is incomplete. Consider alternatives like "prepare them for" or "equip them for depending" on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prepare them for

Focuses on the act of making preparations.

equip them for

Emphasizes providing necessary resources or skills.

train them for

Highlights the educational aspect of preparation.

prime them for

Implies setting them up for optimal performance.

groom them for

Suggests a longer-term preparation process.

set them up for

Focuses on arranging circumstances to ensure success.

arrange for them

Highlights making plans or preparations for their benefit.

condition them for

Emphasizes mental or physical preparation.

gear them up for

Focuses on energizing and preparing for an event.

make them suitable for

Highlights altering their state to fit a specific requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "ready them for" in a sentence?

You can use "ready them for" to indicate preparing someone or something for a specific event or task. For instance, "The training program will ready them for the challenges ahead".

What are some alternatives to "ready them for"?

Alternatives include "prepare them for", "equip them for", or "train them for depending" on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "ready them for"?

Yes, "ready them for" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a verb followed by a pronoun and a preposition.

What's the difference between "ready them for" and "preparing them for"?

"Ready them for" implies a completed state of preparation, while "preparing them for" suggests an ongoing process. Both are correct, but the choice depends on whether the preparation is finished or still in progress.