Prepare vs prepare for

Question

I prepare dinner.Because I am cooking it. I am the person who does dinner. I prepare for my class.I am a teacher and I study the lesson in advance.My friend told my prepare for my class is correct.. but I can't still see the difference... please tell me.....

Dimsumexpress · Accepted Answer

mr1binI prepare dinner.
Because I am cooking it. I am the person who does dinner. People often mistake "I am preparing dinner" as " I am cooking dinner". In reality, it is not. Prepare dinner means doing things like washing salads, chopping onion, peeling squashes, marinating meats and peeling shrimps and so on. When you are doing the above, you can say " I am preparing [for] dinner" when your friend called you and asked "what are you doing?".

I prepare for my class. - OK
I am a teacher and I study the lesson in advance.
My friend told my prepare for my class is correct.. but I can't still see the difference... please tell me..

AlpheccaStars · Answer

Hi

Here are the dictionary entries for "prepare"

verb (used with object)
1. to put in proper condition or readiness: to prepare a patient for surgery.
2. to get (a meal) ready for eating, as by proper assembling, cooking, etc.
3. to manufacture, compound, or compose: to prepare a cough syrup.

So the sentence I prepare dinner is using the 2nd definition.

And the sentence I prepare for class. is using the first definition. You are putting yourself in the proper condition (with knowledge, practice, rehearsal) in advance of the class. You are getting ready for class (as a teacher or as a student).

As a teacher, you can prepare a lecture, lesson, or test. That is using the 3rd definition (you are making or composing these materials to be presented to a class.)

Prepare vs prepare for

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions