prepare

prepare — verb

1. to put a person, thing, or place into the state needed so it can be used or so s

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to put a person, thing, or place into the state needed so it can be used or so something can happen — for example, cooking food before a meal, drafting a speech before a meeting, or arranging a room before guests arrive.

例句

Mrs. Lin spent the whole morning preparing dumplings for the family reunion.

prepare + food object

The teacher prepared the classroom by setting out paper, pencils, and small bowls of paint.

prepare + place + by + -ing

同義詞
  • make

    narrower — 'make dinner' works, but 'make' lacks the sense of advance, deliberate work.

  • arrange

    fits when the object is plans, events, or items being placed in order, not food.

  • set up

    more about installing or putting in place; common with equipment and rooms.

  • draft

    narrower — only for written texts (a speech, a contract, a report).

反義詞
  • neglect

    to fail to get something or someone ready when you should have.

  • improvise

    to act without preparation, making things up as you go.

文法句型

prepare + object

prepare + object + for + noun

prepare for + noun

prepare to + verb

用法筆記

Often takes a person, thing, or place as object, plus an optional 'for + noun' showing the future event. Distinguish from sense 2: here the focus is the active work of getting something ready (cooking, drafting, arranging); in sense 2 the focus is on getting yourself mentally or practically ready for something you expect.

常見錯誤

❌I am preparing for cook dinner.
✅I am preparing dinner.
💡when the object is the thing you make ready, no 'for' is needed.
❌She prepared to leave the keys on the table.
✅She left the keys on the table before leaving.
💡'prepare to + verb' means to get ready to do something, not 'as a step before doing it'.

2. to put yourself into the right state — practically or mentally — for something y

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to put yourself into the right state — practically or mentally — for something you think is coming, so that it does not catch you off guard.

例句

Coastal towns are preparing for a powerful storm expected to hit on Sunday.

prepare for + expected event

Akira has been preparing for the entrance exam since January.

prepare for + noun (test, challenge)

同義詞
  • brace

    stronger — implies steadying yourself for something unpleasant or shocking.

  • gear up

    informal; suggests building up energy or resources for a big event.

  • anticipate

    focus on expecting something; less about taking practical steps.

  • ready

    as a verb, often more formal; 'ready oneself for'.

反義詞

文法句型

prepare for + noun

prepare to + verb

prepare yourself for + noun

用法筆記

Subject is usually a person, group, or place that anticipates the event. The 'for' phrase names the expected event, and is rarely an object you actively make. Distinguish from sense 1: here you are not producing or arranging an item — you are bracing or readying yourself for something you expect to happen.

常見錯誤

❌I am preparing the exam tomorrow.
✅I am preparing for the exam tomorrow.
💡when the meaning is 'getting yourself ready', use 'prepare for'.
❌She prepared that the news would be bad.
✅She prepared herself for bad news.
💡'prepare' in this sense does not take a that-clause.