stands poised

USAGE SUMMARY

"stands poised" is a correct and often used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is prepared, ready, or in a state of balance or stillness, typically with a sense of anticipation or tension. Example: The athlete stands poised at the starting line, awaiting the sound of the starting gun.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Today, Crane stands poised to buy the Houston Astros, one of Major League Baseball's 30 franchises.

The New York Times - Sports

And yet Clov stands poised on the threshold, bags packed, watching in silence.

The New Yorker

In a layby 20m away an Israeli army personnel carrier stands poised, its blue lights flashing.

The Guardian

Twelve years on, the party stands poised to recover the presidency in the electionson 1 July.

The Guardian - Books

The artist stands poised at his easel as three startled cats and a stream of water fly though the air.

The Guardian - Arts

Yet times change, and signs today indicate that baseball stands poised to enter a golden age of celebratory antics.

The New York Times - Sports

Ashcroft now stands poised to join Colin Powell and Donald Rumsfeld as the most prominent members of the Bush Cabinet.

The New Yorker

The candidate now stands poised to declare himself the darling of disenfranchised conservatives, if not Republicans at large.

The Guardian

Modern neuroscience now stands poised to unravel exactly how this circuitry works in order to generate both normal and pathological behaviors.

Harvard University

Dr. Fitzpatrick believes that cryo-EM could crack this puzzle – as the technology stands poised to revolutionize the study of neurological disorders.

Columbia University

The family stands poised on Taro's reclining form, while the imagined torsos of F.B.I. agents loom in a forbidding muddy background.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stands poised" to create a sense of anticipation or readiness, particularly when describing strategic positioning or imminent actions. For instance, "The company stands poised to launch its new product line."

Common error

Avoid using "stands poised" excessively in passive constructions, which can make your writing sound weak. Instead, focus on active voice where possible for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stands poised" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of readiness, anticipation, or strategic positioning. As Ludwig AI explains, it effectively conveys the sense of being fully prepared for an imminent action or event. The numerous examples underscore this function, demonstrating use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stands poised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in written English. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively describes a state of readiness, anticipation, or strategic positioning. Predominantly found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications, the phrase strikes a neutral to slightly formal tone. While alternatives like "stands ready" or "is about to" exist, "stands poised" uniquely conveys a sense of balanced preparedness for an imminent action. To ensure effective use, writers should favor active voice and avoid overuse in passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stands prepared

Replaces "poised" with "prepared", emphasizing readiness.

stands ready

A more direct and simple way to express readiness.

waits poised

Emphasizes the act of waiting in a state of readiness.

is set to

Implies a planned or scheduled readiness.

is about to

Indicates an action that will happen very soon.

is in position to

Highlights being strategically placed for an action.

is on the verge of

Shifts the focus to the imminence of an event.

is on the brink of

Suggests being very close to a significant event or change.

is at the threshold of

Emphasizes being at the beginning of something new.

awaits expectantly

Highlights the hopeful anticipation of a future event.

FAQs

How can I use "stands poised" in a sentence?

You can use "stands poised" to describe someone or something that is ready and waiting for action or a significant event. For example, "The team "stands poised" to win the championship."

What are some alternatives to "stands poised"?

Some alternatives include "stands ready", "is about to", or "is on the verge of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "stands poised" formal or informal?

"Stands poised" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, suitable for professional writing, news articles, and academic papers.

What's the difference between "stands poised" and "stands ready"?

While both phrases indicate readiness, "stands poised" often implies a greater sense of anticipation or a strategic positioning, whereas "stands ready" simply suggests being prepared.