the preparatory session

USAGE SUMMARY

"the preparatory session" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a session held in preparation for something, such as an event or exam. For example: "I attended a preparatory session to make sure I was fully prepared for the upcoming math test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The preparatory session, the third, was scheduled recently because of deep disagreements over whether compensation for slavery and stringent criticism of Israel should be included in the conference agenda.

The New York Times

The fact that the elderly subjects were impaired in their ability to solve this task, but were able (see the preparatory session) to physically match the different stimuli, could thus be due to an alteration in the internal models (forward, inverse, or both) with age, probably compensated by feedback mechanisms during actual execution.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The findings of the Children & Youth Forum are presented by collecting the key messages young people took away from their participation in the preparatory sessions, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and the WCDRR main event.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Science

The American report coincided with the final preparatory session to iron out issues over which the United States has raised objections before the World Conference on Racism in Durban this month.

The New York Times

Mr. Blier, a pianist and the artistic director of the New York Festival of Song, has revived the original French lyrics, written a seductive piano accompaniment and recruited the baritone John Brancy, whose layered reading of the piece at a preparatory session in Mr. Blier's Manhattan apartment late last month convinced all concerned that it could hold its own in a rarefied program of art songs.

The New York Times

Benn had read his intended speech to his two special advisers in a preparatory session for the debate.

The Guardian

Each experimental session was preceded by a preparatory session in which the participant's inter-pupillary distance was measured, the instructions were provided, and training about the appropriate head translation velocity and the magnitude estimation task was provided.

Plosone

The administration sent diplomats to a final preparatory session in Geneva to try to massage the language of proposed conference documents to eliminate references to demands for reparations and references offensive to Israel.

The New York Times

Both treatments were delivered in 20 50-min sessions, preceded by one 90-min preparatory session, and followed by a review session 20 weeks after the completion of treatment.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

At outdoor pools, visitors can take a 20-minute preparatory session and then wade in and touch 2,000-pound 2,000-pounda whites.

The New York Times - Travel

Thirty children struggling academically or socially were ordered to attend a two-week preparatory session, which served as a trial run for everything from bathroom procedures (children must sign a log) to Scholar Dollars, a point system to monitor attitude.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the preparatory session", clearly define what the session is preparing for. This provides context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the preparatory session" without specifying the event or activity it precedes. Without context, the phrase lacks meaning for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the preparatory session" functions as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of meeting or activity designed to prepare participants for something else. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is perfectly acceptable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the preparatory session" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. While relatively rare in occurrence, it effectively describes a meeting or activity designed to prepare participants for an upcoming event. Its use is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business settings. When using this phrase, ensure you provide clear context as to what the session is preparing for to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "preliminary meeting" or "introductory session" for slight variations in meaning. Ludwig's examples further illustrate its proper usage and contextual nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the preliminary meeting

Replaces 'preparatory' with 'preliminary', emphasizing the initial nature of the session.

the introductory meeting

Specifies that the session is the first encounter or introduction to a topic or group.

the training session

Focuses on the training aspect of the preparatory session, implying a learning or skill-development component.

the pre-event briefing

Explicitly links the session to an upcoming event.

the briefing session

Highlights the informational aspect of the session, suggesting an overview or update is being provided.

the kickoff meeting

Suggests the session is the beginning or launch of a project or initiative.

the groundwork session

Implies the session is laying the foundation for future work.

the warm-up session

Emphasizes the act of getting ready for a subsequent activity.

the setup meeting

Focuses on the logistical arrangements and preparation for a subsequent activity.

the reconnaissance mission

Figuratively uses a term associated with military to represent a preliminary action in a non-military context.

FAQs

How can I use "the preparatory session" in a sentence?

You can use "the preparatory session" to describe a meeting or activity designed to prepare individuals for an upcoming event or task. For example, "The team attended "the preparatory session" before the conference to finalize their presentations".

What's a good alternative to "the preparatory session"?

Alternatives include "the preliminary meeting", "the introductory session", or "the training session", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "the preparatory session" and "the main session"?

"The preparatory session" is designed to get participants ready for a future activity, while "the main session" refers to the primary event itself. One comes before the other.

Is "preparatory session" formal or informal?

The phrase "the preparatory session" is generally considered neutral to formal and can be used in professional or academic contexts.