was getting ready

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was getting ready" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action that happened in the past. For example: She was getting ready for the party when her friends arrived.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I was getting ready to make pancakes.

The New Yorker

She was getting ready for a party.

The New Yorker

I was getting ready to retire.

The New York Times - Health

I really was getting ready to call you.

The New Yorker

I was getting ready for a really important competition".

The New York Times - Arts

Francine was getting ready for more than one date.

The New Yorker

(Schlesinger was getting ready to join the Camelot team).

The New Yorker

"His little brother was getting ready to play.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was getting ready to go down and pray myself.

The Guardian

And I was getting ready to have my first kid.

The Guardian - Film

He was getting ready for a victory sprint!

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was getting ready" to describe an action that was in progress in the past but not necessarily completed. This implies a state of preparation leading up to a specific event or action.

Common error

Avoid using "was getting ready" to describe a completed action. If the action is finished, use a past simple tense like "got ready" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was getting ready" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an action in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where the phrase describes an ongoing state of preparation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was getting ready" is a versatile past continuous verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of preparation in the past. Ludwig AI analysis, backed by numerous examples from reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage in news and media contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal communication, it's essential to avoid using it for completed actions and instead opt for the past simple tense. Consider alternatives like "was preparing" or "was about to prepare" to add subtle nuances to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was preparing

Focuses more directly on the act of preparing, omitting the sense of nearing completion.

was in the process of preparing

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the preparation, adding a layer of detail.

was about to prepare

Highlights the imminence of the action, suggesting it was on the verge of starting.

was gearing up

More informal and emphasizes building up energy and resources for something.

was making preparations

Focuses on the specific actions taken in advance of an event.

was arranging things

Emphasizes the organizational aspect of getting ready.

was anticipating

Shifts the focus to expecting and looking forward to something, rather than actively preparing.

was looking forward to

Expresses excitement and eagerness about an upcoming event.

was poised to

Implies a state of readiness and balance before taking action.

was setting the stage

Suggests creating the necessary conditions or environment for something to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "was getting ready" in a sentence?

Use "was getting ready" to describe an action that was in progress in the past. For example, "She "was getting ready" for the interview when she received a phone call."

What are some alternatives to "was getting ready"?

You can use phrases like "was preparing", "was about to prepare", or "was gearing up" depending on the context.

Is "was getting ready" formal or informal?

"Was getting ready" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary.

What's the difference between "was getting ready" and "got ready"?

"Was getting ready" implies an ongoing process in the past, while "got ready" indicates a completed action. For example, "She "was getting ready" when the guests arrived" versus "She "got ready" and left for the party".