starting to prepare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "starting to prepare" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating the beginning of the process of getting ready for something, such as an event or task. Example: "I am starting to prepare for the upcoming presentation next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"Companies are starting to prepare for layoff notices.

The New York Times

Perhaps he is starting to prepare his public for future compromises.

The New York Times

The Highways Agency, Met Office, AA and emergency services providers and planners are all starting to prepare now for winter.

Independent

But a number of surveys suggest that professional investors are already starting to prepare for a shift.

The New York Times

We're just starting to prepare that specimen, so I can't offer many details about it at this point, but it certainly seems to have a lot of potential.

The New York Times

Still the TV extravaganzas are a big chance for him and not surprisingly he is starting to prepare for them already, another sign that the three debates are going to dominate the election campaign.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Then I started to prepare salads".

Independent

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

The New York Times - Sports

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

Independent

Afterward, the coaching staff started to prepare for the Washington Redskins, who host the Giants on Sunday.

The New York Times

Not long afterward, Chernogorneft started to prepare itself for a bankruptcy auction.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "starting to prepare" with specific details to provide context, such as "starting to prepare for the interview" or "starting to prepare the presentation."

Common error

Avoid using "starting to prepare" when a simple present tense like "begin preparing" is more concise and appropriate, especially in formal contexts or when describing a general process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "starting to prepare" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes the action of beginning to get ready for something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "starting to prepare" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating the commencement of readiness or planning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to communicate the initiation of a process, and holds a neutral register. Related phrases include "beginning preparations" and "commencing to ready". When using this phrase, be mindful of conciseness, opting for simpler alternatives like "begin preparing" in formal contexts. Ludwig's examples provide ample context for understanding its application in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beginning preparations

Focuses on the act of beginning preparations as a whole, rather than the continuous process.

commencing to ready

Uses a more formal and less common verb ("ready") to convey a similar meaning.

getting ready to start

Reverses the order, emphasizing the 'getting ready' aspect before the 'start'.

initiating preparation

Emphasizes the formal beginning or initiation of the preparatory process.

embarking on preparations

Suggests a more significant and involved undertaking than simply 'starting'.

setting about preparing

Implies a deliberate and intentional start to the process of preparing.

laying the groundwork for preparation

Shifts the focus to the foundational steps of preparation.

taking the first steps to prepare

Highlights the initial actions taken in the process of preparation.

kicking off preparations

Uses an informal idiom to indicate the start of preparations.

opening the preparatory phase

Formal phrasing that indicates the beginning of a phase of preparing.

FAQs

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

You can use "starting to prepare" to describe the commencement of readiness, such as, "We are starting to prepare for the upcoming conference", or "The team is starting to prepare the proposal".

What's a more formal way to say "starting to prepare"?

A more formal way to express "starting to prepare" could be "commencing preparations" or "initiating preparation".

Is it correct to say "start to prepare" instead of "starting to prepare"?

Yes, "start to prepare" is also correct. While "starting to prepare" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the beginning phase, "start to prepare" indicates a general commencement of the process.

What's the difference between "beginning to prepare" and "starting to prepare"?

"Beginning to prepare" and "starting to prepare" are largely interchangeable. However, "beginning to prepare" may imply a slightly more deliberate or formal commencement than "starting to prepare".