started getting ready

USAGE SUMMARY

"started getting ready" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing the beginning of the process of preparing for an event or activity. Example: "She started getting ready for the party an hour early." Alternative expressions include "began to prepare" and "commenced getting ready."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Ray, whose older brother, Allan, starred at Villanova and played for the Boston Celtics last season, sat down at her locker and started getting ready for practice.

The New York Times - Sports

"[After the split] I immediately wrote 10 songs and started getting ready to perform them and sing, which I'd never done before," he said.

The Guardian - Music

A: When I originally started getting ready, I would write down everything I wanted to do — my boxing, my Jiu-Jitsu, my Muay Thai, my sparring, my strength and conditioning.

The New York Times - Sports

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) likes to talk about how his administration started getting ready the day after Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law on March 23 , 2010

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Besides, everyone had to start getting ready for the evening's parties.

The New York Times

He tells her it's nearly eight o'clock and she really has to start getting ready.

Independent

Grabbed a green juice and salad and then had to start getting ready.

The New York Times

We have a big physical warm-up together to limber up, then start getting ready.

The Guardian

"You don't have to be futuristic to start getting ready for the future".

The New York Times - Tech

Morning routine: Up early, walk Justin and Sadie right away, then come back and start getting ready.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Those are the ones who need to start getting ready now for the jobs that are coming.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal reports or academic writing, consider using "began preparing" or "commenced preparations" to enhance the professional tone.

Common error

Do not add unnecessary words like "started to begin getting ready". The verb "started" already establishes the inception of the action. Adding another inception verb makes the sentence wordy and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started getting ready" functions as a complex verbal predicate where the aspectual verb "started" indicates the beginning of an action. It is followed by the gerund "getting", which acts as a linking verb in this context, and the adjective "ready" as a complement. According to Ludwig, this structure is a standard way to describe the onset of a state transition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

25%

Social Media

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Legal

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "started getting ready" is a versatile and grammatically correct English phrase used to denote the beginning of a preparatory process. Ludwig AI shows that it is a staple of narrative journalism and instructional guides, providing a clear and natural way to describe movement into action. While highly common in neutral contexts, writers should be aware that more formal synonyms like "commenced preparations" exist for specialized professional or academic use. Overall, it remains an essential tool for clear storytelling and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

started to get ready

Uses an infinitive instead of a gerund for a slightly different rhythm

began getting ready

Substitutes the initial verb while keeping the gerund

began to prepare

Uses a more formal verb and an infinitive structure

started readying

Uses the verb form of ready directly for brevity

commenced preparations

Significantly more formal and professional in tone

set about preparing

Idiomatic expression implying focus and intent

started getting set

More informal and often used in sporting or competitive contexts

initiated preparations

Suggests a formal or technical start to a process

embarked on preparations

Implies a longer or more significant preparation phase

began to dress

Specific to preparation involving clothing or appearance

FAQs

How to use "started getting ready" in a sentence?

You can use it to mark the start of preparation, for example: "She "started getting ready" for the interview as soon as she woke up."

What can I say instead of "started getting ready"?

Depending on the context, you can use "began to prepare", "commenced preparations" or "started to get ready".

Is "started getting ready" correct in formal writing?

It is grammatically correct and used in news media like The New York Times, but for highly formal academic or business documents, "initiated preparations" is often preferred.

What is the difference between "started getting ready" and "began to prepare"?

Both mean the same thing, but "started getting ready" is more common in daily speech and narrative journalism, while "began to prepare" sounds slightly more formal.