while getting ready

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while getting ready" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or events that occur simultaneously with the process of preparing for something. Example: "I listened to music while getting ready for the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yesterday morning I woke up and cooked beans while getting ready to come to work.

The New York Times

Golding had died at about 1.30am, while getting ready for bed, of a massive heart attack.

The Guardian - Books

I would read it to her while getting ready, while travelling on the train.

The New Yorker

"He's a jackass," Obama said while getting ready for a taped CNBC interview.

The Washington Post

Jenny Bonnet, a puckish cross-dresser and frog-catcher, is shot dead through a window while getting ready for bed.

The New Yorker

While getting ready to research and write the Notre Dame book, Mr. Coyne decided to return to Freehold.

The New York Times

"If I was thinking ahead about the Davis Cup, to show up and then get pumped three times while getting ready for Ghent is terrible preparation," he said.

Independent

In the evening, while getting ready for bed, Srini went into the second-floor bathroom off the master bedroom to wash up.

The New Yorker

Then, while getting ready for breakfast, the farmer, stepping out to smoke a cigarette, glimpses a colony of ants destroying the farm's hedge.

The New Yorker

While getting ready, they passed the telephone back and forth, discussing the life and career of the youngest of their three children.

The New York Times - Sports

"Their early work was a little too New Wave for my taste," he sniffs while getting ready to whack one of his Wall Street cronies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, "while getting ready" is a useful and natural way to describe background activities or conversations that take place as characters are preparing themselves.

Common error

Avoid using "while getting ready" to introduce a hypothetical situation or condition. It should only describe simultaneous actions. For example, do not say "While getting ready to go out, call me" if you mean "If you get ready to go out, call me".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while getting ready" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, indicating when another action occurs. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and common construction in English. It modifies the main clause by specifying the temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "while getting ready" is a versatile and widely used adverbial phrase that indicates an action occurring simultaneously with the process of preparing for something. As Ludwig AI accurately points out, its grammatical status is correct and it finds frequent application across various contexts, including news, media, and informal settings. This phrase serves to provide a contextual backdrop, enriching narratives with details of simultaneous activities. When considering alternatives, phrases like "during preparations" or "as I prepare" offer varying degrees of formality. Be mindful not to misuse the phrase by incorrectly substituting it for "if". With its frequent presence in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, "while getting ready" remains a reliable and effective way to describe concurrent actions in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

getting ready

Shortened version of the original phrase.

while preparing myself

Adds a sense of self-focus to the preparation.

during the getting ready process

More descriptive and emphasizes the process itself.

during preparations

Formal alternative, emphasizing the preparation process.

as I was preparing

Uses past continuous tense to highlight the activity's duration.

as I prepare

More direct and personal alternative.

in the process of preparing

Highlights the ongoing nature of the preparation.

beforehand

Indicates something done in advance of an event.

in anticipation

Focuses on the expectation and excitement of an upcoming event.

preparatory to

Formal and academic alternative.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "while getting ready" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "during preparations" or "preparatory to". These alternatives are suitable for academic or professional contexts.

Is it always necessary to include "while" before "getting ready"?

No, shortening the phrase to just "getting ready" can be perfectly acceptable and even more concise depending on context. For example, "getting ready for the party" can work in many situations.

Can "while getting ready" be used for mental preparation as well?

Yes, "while getting ready" can refer to mental preparation, such as thinking about a presentation "while getting ready" in the morning. The context should make it clear that the preparation is mental rather than physical.

What are some common activities described using "while getting ready"?

Common activities often described using "while getting ready" include listening to music, having conversations, checking the news, or enjoying a meal. The phrase sets the scene for multitasking during the preparation process.