Preparing vs. Preparation — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 14, 2024
Preparing involves the action or process of getting ready for something, focusing on the act itself; preparation refers to the state of being ready or the arrangements made in advance, emphasizing the outcome or readiness.
Difference Between Preparing and Preparation
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Key Differences
Preparing is the verb that describes the active process of getting ready for a particular event, activity, or situation. Preparation, on the other hand, is a noun that focuses on the state or condition of being prepared.
In the context of education or work, preparing might involve the act of reviewing documents, researching, or practicing skills, emphasizing the continuous effort towards improvement or readiness. Preparation, in these contexts, would refer to all the materials gathered, the plans made, and the readiness of the person or team for the task ahead, highlighting the result of these efforts.
The distinction also lies in the temporal focus of each term. Preparing suggests a current, active engagement in the process, while preparation can refer to both the process and its culmination in a state of readiness, often considered before the action or event it pertains to begins.
While both terms are related and often used in conjunction with each other, their emphasis differs: preparing focuses more on the journey or the active steps taken, whereas preparation is more about the destination or the state of being ready as a result of those steps.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
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Focus
Process of getting ready
State of being ready
Temporal Focus
Ongoing action
Outcome or readiness
Usage Context
Active engagement in tasks
Arrangements and planning made
Example
She is preparing the report.
The preparation of the report took two days.
Compare with Definitions
Preparing
Actively getting ready for something.
He was preparing his speech for the conference.
Preparation
The state or process of being ready.
The preparation for the journey took weeks.
Preparing
Engaging in the process to achieve readiness.
They are preparing the field for planting.
Preparation
Planning and setup done beforehand.
Preparation of the meal required several hours.
Preparing
Performing tasks leading to a desired state.
The team is preparing a marketing strategy.
Preparation
The outcome of getting ready.
The preparation of the proposal involved the whole team.
Preparing
Taking steps towards a goal.
Preparing for the exam involves extensive study.
Preparation
Arrangements made in advance.
His thorough preparation was evident in the smooth event.
Preparing
Involvement in making arrangements.
She spent the morning preparing the room for guests.
Preparation
Readiness achieved through planning.
Her preparation for the role impressed the directors.
Preparing
To make ready beforehand for a specific purpose, as for an event or occasion
The teacher prepared the students for the exams.
Preparation
The act or process of preparing
The preparation of dinner for six people.
Preparing
To put together or make by combining various elements or ingredients; manufacture or compound
Prepared a meal.
Prepared the lecture.
Preparation
The state of having been made ready beforehand; readiness.
Preparing
To fit out; equip
Prepared the ship for an arctic expedition.
Preparation
Often preparations An action done to prepare for something, especially for an event or undertaking
Preparations for the opening of the new school.
Preparing
(Music) To lead up to and soften (a dissonance or its impact) by means of preparation.
Preparation
A substance, such as a medicine, prepared for a particular purpose.
Preparing
To make things or oneself ready
I must prepare for my trip.
Preparation
The anticipation of a dissonant tone by means of its introduction as a consonant tone in the preceding chord.
Preparing
Present participle of prepare
Preparation
The dissonant tone so anticipated.
Preparing
Preparation
Preparation
(uncountable) The act of preparing or getting ready.
I went over my notes in preparation for the exam.
Preparation
(uncountable) The state of being prepared; readiness.
Preparation
(countable) That which is prepared.
Preparation
A substance, especially a remedy, that is prepared.
The traditional remedy is a bitter preparation made from steamed herbs.
Preparation
(anatomy) A part of any animal body preserved as a specimen.
Preparation
(music) Any of the objects placed between the strings of a prepared piano.
Preparation
(Judaism) The day before the Sabbath or other Jewish feast-day.
Preparation
Devotional exercises introducing an office.
Preparation
(music) The previous introduction, as an integral part of a chord, of a note continued into a succeeding dissonance.
Preparation
The act of preparing or fitting beforehand for a particular purpose, use, service, or condition; previous arrangement or adaptation; a making ready; as, the preparation of land for a crop of wheat; the preparation of troops for a campaign.
Preparation
The state of being prepared or made ready; preparedness; readiness; fitness; as, a nation in good preparation for war.
Preparation
That which makes ready, prepares the way, or introduces; a preparatory act or measure.
I will show what preparations there were in nature for this dissolution.
Preparation
That which is prepared, made, or compounded by a certain process or for a particular purpose; a combination. Specifically: (a) Any medicinal substance fitted for use. (b) Anything treated for preservation or examination as a specimen. (c) Something prepared for use in cookery.
I wish the chemists had been more sparing who magnify their preparations.
In the preparations of cookery, the most volatile parts of vegetables are destroyed.
Preparation
An army or fleet.
Preparation
The holding over of a note from one chord into the next chord, where it forms a temporary discord, until resolved in the chord that follows; the anticipation of a discordant note in the preceding concord, so that the ear is prepared for the shock. See Suspension.
Preparation
Accomplishment; qualification.
Preparation
The activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose;
Preparations for the ceremony had begun
Preparation
A substance prepared according to a formula
Preparation
The cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening;
His planning for retirement was hindered by several uncertainties
Preparation
The state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action);
Putting them in readiness
Their preparation was more than adequate
Preparation
(music) a note that produces a dissonant chord is first heard in a consonant chord;
The resolution of one dissonance is often the preparation for another disonance
Preparation
Activity leading to skilled behavior
Preparation
Preparatory school work done outside school (especially at home)
Preparation
The act of preparing something (as food) by the application of heat;
Cooking can be a great art
People are needed who have experience in cookery
He left the preparation of meals to his wife
Common Curiosities
Can "preparation" stand alone without specifying what it is for?
Yes, "preparation" can stand alone, often understood from context, but specifying the object or purpose provides clarity.
Is "preparation" more comprehensive than "preparing"?
Often, yes. "Preparation" can imply a wider range of activities and the completeness of readiness, while "preparing" focuses on individual actions within the process.
Can both terms be used in the same context?
Yes, both terms can be used in the same context but focus on different aspects: the action vs. the result of that action.
How do "preparing" and "preparation" relate in a process?
"Preparing" is the act that leads to the "preparation," the latter being the result or state achieved after the action.
Is "preparing" always followed by an action?
Yes, "preparing" typically requires an object or activity it is directed towards, indicating what the preparation is for.
How does the level of formality affect the use of "preparing" vs. "preparation"?
Both terms are versatile and can be used in formal and informal contexts alike; the choice between them depends more on whether the focus is on the action or the state of readiness.
Is "preparing" used exclusively for immediate tasks?
Not exclusively. While "preparing" often refers to more immediate actions, it can also describe the process for tasks that are further in the future, emphasizing ongoing effort.
Does "preparing" imply a specific timeframe?
"Preparing" does not specify a timeframe; it indicates an ongoing process without defining how long it takes, which can vary widely depending on the context.
Can "preparation" refer to both physical and mental readiness?
Yes, "preparation" encompasses both physical arrangements and mental readiness, including the acquisition of knowledge, planning, and emotional readiness.
Can the success of a task be influenced by the distinction between "preparing" and "preparation"?
Understanding and properly executing both the process of "preparing" (active engagement in readiness) and achieving thorough "preparation" (the state of being fully ready) are crucial for the success of any task, highlighting the importance of both the journey and its culmination in achieving goals.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
