What is prepare? Pronunciation and usage in English

prepare means . Learn how to pronounce and use prepare through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of prepare

prepareverb

/prɪˈpɛː/
Definition & pronunciation of prepare

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "prepare" in English. It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "pre-": This part is pronounced like "preh" – like the beginning of the word "pretend." The "e" is short and unstressed.
  • "pare": This is the trickiest part. It's pronounced like "pair" – as in, “a pair of shoes.” It’s a diphthong (meaning it's a combination of two vowel sounds).

2. Putting it Together:

So, the whole word is pronounced: "preh-pair"

3. Emphasis:

  • There’s a slight pause between the “preh” and “pair” syllables. It’s not a long pause, but it’s noticeable.
  • The emphasis is generally on the first syllable ("preh").

4. Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "pe-pare." This is a very common mistake. It's important to keep that "reh" sound at the beginning.

  • Don't overly lengthen the "a" in "pair." It should be a clear, quick "air" sound, not drawn out.

  • Listen to examples! This is crucial. Here are some resources:

    • Google: Search "how to pronounce prepare" on Google and listen to the audio examples.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/prepare/ – This website has pronunciations recorded by native speakers from various regions.
    • YouTube: Search YouTube for videos demonstrating the pronunciation.

Would you like me to:

  • Break down the sounds further (e.g., phonetic transcription)?
  • Give you some practice sentences to say "prepare"?

Usage and examples with the word prepare in English

Let's break down how to use the word "prepare" in English. It's a very versatile word with a range of meanings. Here's a breakdown categorized by how you can use it, with examples:

1. As a Verb (to make ready): This is the most common usage. It means to make something ready for a particular purpose or event.

  • For a physical object:

    • "I need to prepare my lunch before I leave for work." (Make ready the food)
    • "She prepared the room for the party – she put up decorations and cleaned it." (Made the room ready)
    • "He prepared the car for the long journey, checking the oil and tires." (Made the car ready)

  • For an activity or event:

    • "We need to prepare for the storm – bring in the plants and secure the windows." (Make ready for the storm)
    • "Let’s prepare for the meeting by reviewing the agenda." (Make ready for the meeting)
    • "The school is preparing for the annual fundraiser." (Making ready for the fundraiser)

  • For someone mentally or emotionally:

    • "I need to prepare myself for a difficult conversation." (Mentally get ready)
    • "He prepared himself for the exam by studying diligently." (Mentally and possibly physically – getting ready to study)

2. As a Verb (to get ready - often with specific actions): This implies taking steps to be ready.

  • "I’m going to prepare a nice dinner tonight." (Cook)
  • "She's preparing a presentation for her boss." (Working on the presentation)
  • "We’re preparing the documents for the legal proceedings." (Gathering and organizing the documents)

3. As a Noun (a state of being ready): This refers to the result of being prepared.

  • "He was well prepared for the interview." (He was ready – it shows he had done something to get ready)
  • "The team is prepared to handle any challenges." (They are ready to deal with difficulties)
  • "Let's stay prepared for the worst." (Be ready in case something bad happens)

4. Phrases with "Prepare":

  • Prepare for...: (To get ready for something) "Prepare for the worst." “Prepare for the best.”
  • Prepare something: (To make something ready) "Prepare the potatoes." "Prepare the report."
  • In preparation for...: (As a result of preparing) "In preparation for the trip, we booked the flights and hotels."
  • Prepare oneself: (To mentally and emotionally get ready) “I need to prepare myself for the criticism.”

Here's a table summarizing the different meanings:

Form Meaning Example
Verb (main) To make ready "I'm preparing a cake."
Verb (action) To take steps to get ready "She's preparing her notes for class."
Noun A state of being ready "He was well prepared for the presentation."
Phrases Various related expressions "Prepare for disaster," "Prepare your mind."

To help me tailor the information even further, could you tell me:

  • What is the context you're thinking about? (e.g., writing an email, giving a presentation, cooking, etc.)
  • Are there any specific situations where you’re trying to use the word "prepare"?

Synonyms for the word prepare

Idioms of the word prepare

prepare the ground (for something)
to make it possible or easier for something to be achieved
  • The committee will prepare the ground for next month's meeting.
  • Early experiments with rockets prepared the ground for space travel.

Practice with vocabulary prepare

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Before the important client meeting, we need to thoroughly _______ our presentation slides and talking points.
  2. The chef will _______ a special four-course meal for the diplomatic delegation.
  3. The project manager helped us _______ the tasks and set deadlines for each phase.
  4. The company aims to _______ a new policy regarding remote work by the end of the quarter.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following describes the act of getting something ready for future use or an event? a) Demolish b) Prepare c) Deconstruct d) Discard

  2. What steps should a student take before presenting their research paper to a panel? (Select all that apply) a) Practice the presentation aloud b) Review the sources c) Prepare an outline d) Memorize irrelevant facts

  3. When facing a critical software update, IT professionals must: (Select all that apply) a) develop a backup strategy b) prepare for potential system downtime c) neglect user training d) anticipate technical issues

  4. Before launching the new product, the marketing team needs to ______ a comprehensive strategy. a) implement b) execute c) devise d) abolish

  5. It is crucial to ______ all data thoroughly before making any major business decisions. a) dismiss b) analyze c) fabricate d) ignore

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. You should get ready for the presentation by practicing it several times. (Rewrite using "prepare" or a related word form.)
  2. The team made arrangements for the unexpected surge in customer inquiries. (Rewrite using "prepare" or a related word form.)
  3. Please draw up a detailed report on the quarterly sales figures. (Rewrite without using "prepare" or its forms.)

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. prepare
  2. prepare
  3. organize (or plan)
  4. implement (or establish, introduce)

Exercise 2:

  1. b) Prepare
  2. a) Practice the presentation aloud, b) Review the sources, c) Prepare an outline
  3. a) develop a backup strategy, b) prepare for potential system downtime, d) anticipate technical issues
  4. c) devise
  5. b) analyze

Exercise 3:

  1. You should prepare for the presentation by practicing it several times.
  2. The team prepared for the unexpected surge in customer inquiries.
  3. Please draft a detailed report on the quarterly sales figures.

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