start to prepare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "start to prepare" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate the beginning of an action or process. For example, "We need to start to prepare for the upcoming holiday season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We can't start to prepare properly  until we know that," he said.

Independent

"We have to start to prepare for the declaration of the state".

The New York Times

They have to start to prepare for their postcareers because it could start tomorrow".

The New York Times - Sports

He will instead start to prepare for his switch before the 2016 season.

The Guardian - Sport

You argue that governments must start to prepare for slower growth in order to limit the negative consequences.

The New York Times

My mum and grandma will start to prepare the new year's eve meal and put the lucky coins in dumplings.

The Guardian

Then I start to prepare the house for the new family that's supposed to get here tomorrow.

The New Yorker

Ferrer said that after two days of rest, he would start to prepare on grass for Wimbledon, for his next chance to finally win a Grand Slam event.

The New York Times - Sports

And, as officials had broadly hinted beforehand, they did start to prepare the way for rates to rise from zero where they have been since 2008.

The Economist

But it's not unreasonable to hope that Italians take advantage of his ouster and start to prepare — really prepare — for the future.

The New York Times

"Our online marketing team will start to prepare the visual materials needed for pushing the dress online overnight," said Steven Lin, a company spokesman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "start to prepare" to clearly indicate the commencement of actions aimed at getting ready for an event, task, or situation. It emphasizes the initial phase of preparation.

Common error

Avoid using "start to prepare" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "preparations should start to be prepared by the team", opt for the more direct "the team should start to prepare".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "start to prepare" functions as an infinitive phrase, indicating the initiation of an action. Examples on Ludwig, including those from news and media sources, show its role in expressing the commencement of preparations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "start to prepare" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies the beginning of a preparation process. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business writing. While alternatives like "begin preparations" or "commence preparation" exist, "start to prepare" offers a neutral tone suitable for various situations. When using this phrase, consider whether emphasizing the commencement of preparation is necessary, or if a simpler "prepare" would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin preparations

Emphasizes the initiation of preparatory actions or activities.

commence preparation

Highlights a more formal start to the preparation process.

initiate readiness

Focuses on the beginning of the process of becoming ready.

start getting ready

More informal and general, implying a less structured approach.

lay the groundwork

Suggests creating a foundation or basis for future actions.

set the stage

Implies creating a setting or environment for something to occur.

make arrangements

Involves taking specific steps to organize or plan something.

formulate a plan

Focuses on devising a strategy or course of action.

take preliminary steps

Implies starting with initial actions before a larger process.

gear up for

An idiomatic expression meaning to prepare for an event or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "start to prepare" in a sentence?

You can use "start to prepare" to indicate the beginning of preparations for an event or task, such as, "We need to "begin to prepare" for the upcoming conference".

What are some alternatives to "start to prepare"?

Alternatives to "start to prepare" include "begin preparations", "commence preparation", or "initiate readiness". The choice depends on the level of formality and the specific context.

Which is correct: "start to prepare" or "start preparing"?

Both "start to prepare" and "start preparing" are grammatically correct. "Start preparing" is often considered more concise and modern, while "start to prepare" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

When should I use "start to prepare" instead of "prepare"?

Use "start to prepare" when you want to specifically emphasize the beginning of the preparation process. If the focus is simply on the act of preparing, "prepare" alone is sufficient.