to prepare

USAGE SUMMARY

"to prepare" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about making or getting something ready for a particular purpose, such as a task, event, or situation. For example: "I need to prepare for the upcoming presentation by reviewing my notes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have to prepare.

The New York Times - Sports

You need to prepare.

The Guardian - Sport

Try to prepare him.

The New York Times - Magazine

To prepare, he rehearsed.

The New Yorker

How to prepare them?

The New York Times - Style

We try to prepare.

The New York Times - Sports

Another thing to prepare for.

The New York Times

"I try to prepare myself.

The New York Times

I just want to prepare.

The New York Times

HHS is scurrying to prepare.

The Economist

I had tried to prepare.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to prepare", specify what you are preparing for to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of saying "I need to prepare", say "I need to prepare for the meeting".

Common error

Avoid using "to prepare" without specifying what needs to be prepared. The phrase can be vague if the context is not clear. Ensure your audience understands the intended target of the preparation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to prepare" is as an infinitive, often used to express purpose or intention. It commonly introduces a verb phrase indicating the action of making something ready. Ludwig confirms this usage across a wide range of examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to prepare" functions as an infinitive indicating the action of making something or someone ready for a future event or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what you are preparing for. Alternatives include "to get ready" or "to arrange", depending on context. Remember to avoid vagueness and provide sufficient context for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to get ready

Focuses on the action of becoming ready, often implying a shorter timeframe.

to make ready

Highlights the act of making something or someone ready for a specific purpose.

to arrange

Implies organizing and planning the details of something in advance.

to plan ahead

Emphasizes the forward-thinking aspect of preparing for something.

to gear up

Suggests equipping oneself or something for an activity or event.

to lay the groundwork

Implies creating a foundation or initial steps for a future endeavor.

to make preparations

Stresses the act of carrying out specific actions to get ready.

to train

Focuses on developing skills and knowledge for a specific task.

to equip oneself

Highlights the act of providing oneself with necessary resources or skills.

to steel oneself

Implies mentally and emotionally preparing for a difficult situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "to prepare" in various contexts. For instance, "I need "to prepare dinner"" or "They need "to prepare for the exam"".

What are some alternatives to "to prepare"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to get ready", "to make ready", or "to arrange", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "prepare" or "to prepare"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. Use "prepare" as a verb in the imperative mood (e.g., "Prepare the documents"). Use "to prepare" as an infinitive (e.g., "I need to prepare the documents").

What's the difference between "preparing" and "to prepare"?

"Preparing" is a gerund or present participle (e.g., "Preparing dinner is my responsibility"). "To prepare" is an infinitive form of the verb (e.g., "I am going "to prepare dinner"").