Word: prepare (verb)

Associations

To prepare means to make something ready for use or consideration. It often involves planning or organizing ahead of time.

• Example 1: "I need to prepare for my exam next week." This means the person is getting ready by studying or gathering materials.
• Example 2: "She prepared a delicious meal for her guests." Here, it shows that she cooked and arranged food for others.
• Example 3: "We must prepare the presentation before the meeting." This indicates that work needs to be done to make the presentation ready.

The word "ready" is a synonym, but "prepare" implies the action of making something ready, while "ready" means that something is already in a state of being prepared.

Substitution

Other words that can be used instead of "prepare" include:

• "organize" – This suggests putting things in order but may not imply making something ready for use.
• "arrange" – This focuses on putting things in a specific order or plan, often for an event.
• "plan" – This emphasizes the process of thinking ahead and making decisions for future actions.

Deconstruction

The word "prepare" comes from the Latin root "praeparare," where "prae-" means "before" and "parare" means "to make ready." So, it literally means to make something ready beforehand.

Inquiry

• How do you prepare for a big event in your life, like a birthday or graduation?
• Can you think of a time when you felt unprepared? What happened?
• In what situations do you think it is most important to prepare? Why?