I'd like to be prepared vs I'd like to prepare

The phrases are both acceptable, but their meanings differ a bit. 'I'd like to be prepared' implies a desire to be ready for something, while 'I'd like to prepare' indicates a desire to take action to get ready. The choice between the two depends on whether the focus is on being ready or on the act of preparing.

Explained by Gregg
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 01, 2025 • 6087 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a desire to be ready for something.

"I'd like to be prepared "

This phrase is used when someone wants to indicate their wish to be ready for a specific situation or event.

Examples:

I'd like to be prepared for the meeting tomorrow.
She always likes to be prepared for any emergency.

Show examples from the web [+]

Necessary or not, I'd be prepared for some...
I'd be prepared to swear it in front of the Ministry of Magic.
I like that stripe so much I'd be prepared to buy the whole car just to get it.
Since I'd never been on a date with a deaf lady before, I wanted to be prepared.
Delivery certificates shall be prepared in quadruplicate.
Replicate laboratory samples may be prepared.
My husband taught me to be prepared.
We would be prepared to consider Thursday.
Everybody, be prepared for the consequences.
I'll have to be prepared to fail two or three times if I don't have any luck, but I doubt I'd fail a fourth time.
So, I want to be prepared and taken seriously, I'd start the day off with the Washington Post.
We have to be prepared for crisis situations, we have to be prepared to prevent them and we have to be prepared for the outbreak of an epidemic.
I think it's about having to be prepared as communities, not as individuals - being prepared as nation, being prepared as state, being prepared as town.
Safety your weapons, but be prepared.
The first thing on Izzy's list: Be prepared for everything.
We have to be prepared in case things go south.
Someone you should be prepared for.
And be prepared to die for our cause.
Owen, be prepared to exfil by force.
Just be prepared for some harsh yet constructive criticism.

Alternatives:

I want to be ready
I'd like to be well-prepared
I'd like to have everything ready

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express a desire to take action to get ready for something.

"I'd like to prepare "

This phrase is used when someone wants to indicate their wish to actively prepare for a specific situation or event.

Examples:

I'd like to prepare for the exam in advance.
He always likes to prepare a detailed plan before starting a project.

Show examples from the web [+]

Okay, I'd like to prepare the sponge.
I'd like you to prepare a reading for tomorrow.
Doctor: Moira, I'd like you to prepare yourself.
And if it's all right with you, I'd like you to prepare her funeral.
Doctor: Moira, I'd like you to prepare yourself.
And I'd like you to help me prepare a character.
You know, gentlemen, I'd like you all to prepare for the year of the?
I felt I'd lived my whole wretched life just to prepare me for that moment.
I'd like to show them around so we can just, you know - Actually, I managed to prepare for you some enlarged pictures - even better.
I'd better tell Kast to prepare more food.
I'd like for you two to marry right away, but it will take some time to prepare things on our side.
Well, I'd love to, but I have an exam to prepare for Friday.
My Commission will prepare a short paper on innovation to prepare for the Lahti informal summit.
Tell Allison to prepare for casualties.
Residents are advised to prepare for evacuation.
The board needed time to prepare a transition.
Please come upstairs to prepare for the coronation.
The traditional Aztec method used to prepare kernels for consumption.
Miss Claudel has the authorisation to prepare meals.
I asked the cooks to prepare your favorite.

Alternatives:

I want to get ready
I'd like to make preparations
I'd like to plan ahead

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I'd like to be prepared vs I'd like to prepare

"I'd like to be prepared "

"I'd like to prepare "

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