warming up

USAGE SUMMARY

"warming up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean getting someone or something ready for a particular activity, such as exercise or a performance. For example, "The band began their set by warming up with a few of their classic songs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Stevens was just warming up.

The New Yorker

He is just warming up.

Independent

Bryant was just warming up.

The New York Times - Sports

He was just warming up.

The New York Times

And I'm just warming up!

The New York Times

He's warming up".

The New York Times

I'm just warming up.

The Guardian

"We're warming up with the foundation".

The New York Times

The warming up did not end there.

The New Yorker

It was warming up a little.

The New Yorker

Mr. Bloomberg is just warming up, electorally.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to increasing intensity or excitement, using "warming up" can add a dynamic feel to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "warming up" to solely describe stretching. While stretching can be part of a warm-up, it's crucial to include light aerobic activity to raise body temperature and blood flow for effective preparation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "warming up" functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, depending on its role in the sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples show it describing an ongoing action (e.g., "Joaquin Benoit is warming up for Detroit") or acting as a noun (e.g., "The warming up did not end there.").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "warming up" is a versatile phrase primarily functioning as a present participle or gerund, widely employed to denote preparation or increasing intensity. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for diverse contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, though it's most frequently found in news and media. When employing "warming up", remember that it encompasses more than just stretching, incorporating elements of cardiovascular activity for optimal preparation. Alternatives such as "preparing", "getting ready", and "heating up" can be considered depending on the desired nuance. Overall, "warming up" is a clear and effective way to convey readiness or increasing momentum in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preparing

Focuses on the act of getting ready, similar to the initial stage of "warming up".

getting ready

A more general term indicating preparation, less specific than "warming up".

limbering up

Specifically refers to physical preparation, particularly stretching and loosening muscles.

heating up

Indicates an increase in temperature or intensity, often used metaphorically.

getting started

Focuses on the commencement of an activity, a stage that might follow "warming up".

gearing up

Suggests preparing equipment or resources for an activity.

tuning up

Specifically refers to preparing a musical instrument or engine.

revving up

Implies increasing energy or excitement, often used in a dynamic context.

loosening up

Similar to limbering up, but can also refer to becoming less formal or tense.

building up

Indicates a gradual increase in something, like intensity or anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "warming up" in a sentence?

You can use "warming up" to describe the process of preparing for physical activity, such as "The athletes were "warming up" before the game", or to indicate a gradual increase in intensity, as in "The debate was "warming up" as the candidates grew more passionate".

What are some alternatives to saying "warming up"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "preparing", "getting ready", or "heating up".

Is it correct to say "warming up" before a presentation?

Yes, you can use "warming up" metaphorically to describe preparing for a presentation. It implies getting your mind and voice ready, similar to how athletes prepare their bodies.

What's the difference between "warming up" and "cooling down"?

"Warming up" refers to the initial phase of preparation for activity, increasing body temperature and blood flow. "Cooling down", on the other hand, is the process of gradually decreasing activity levels after exercise to allow the body to recover.