ready versus prepared

English translation: ready

17:48 May 13, 2009

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Other / Questionnaires

English term or phrase: ready versus prepared

I have these two words in seperate sentences in the same questionnaire. Which one expresses more readiness?

. I want to make changes in my life.

. I am ready to start making changes in my daily life.

. I am prepared to start making changes in my daily life?

. I am willing to start making changes in my daily life?
TIA

Yasser El Helw KudoZ activity Questions: 496 (3 open) (8 without valid answers) (19 closed without grading) Answers: 2222 Egypt
Local time: 20:49

Selected answer:ready

Explanation:
it means ok, let's do it...

prepared means you can do it when you need to...

Selected response from:

Marian Greenfield
Local time: 13:49

Grading comment

Thank you :-)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

5 +8

ready

Marian Greenfield

ready

K. Ganly (X)

3 -4

essentially the same ( prepared slightly stronger)

Lirka

Discussion entries: 1

Answers

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +8

ready

Explanation:
it means ok, let's do it...

prepared means you can do it when you need to...

Marian Greenfield
Local time: 13:49
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 48

Grading comment

Thank you :-)

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

neutral

Lirka: so prepared is stronger, it took more mental power to get prepared....

8 mins

-> no, don't think so...

agree

liz askew: Definitely.

1 hr

-> thanks

agree

Tony M: Yes, 'ready' = 'Yes, let's do it NOW!', whereas 'prepared' just means 'I'll do it if I have to, some time'

1 hr

-> exactly... thanks

agree

B D Finch: Absolutely, "prepared to" implies a somewhat unenthusiastic concession to necessity.

1 hr

-> exactly. thanks

agree

Richard McDorman: Prepared and ready definitely don't mean the same thing.

2 hrs

agree

Tina Vonhof (X)

8 hrs

neutral

Gary D: Ready is more like the yellow light on trafic lights, Prepared is one step further...when you have seen the trafic stop for the red on the other side and you have the green go light.

12 hrs

agree

veratek

13 hrs

agree

Marlene Blanshay

1 day 2 hrs

agree

conejo: "Ready" is definitely stronger. I am not sure why there is so much dissent over this question.

4 days

8 mins confidence:

ready

Explanation:
It is difficult to say.
The want and willing both express a desire to make changes but do not necessarily mean the person is ready.
In my opinion, there is little difference in meaning in the above, however, if pushed i would 'ready' is stronger, as it seems to denote more of a mental state of being, whereas 'prepared' maybe a practical state...

(However, that is just from the 'feel' of the sentence as the meaning of the words used are essentially the same.)

K. Ganly (X)
United Kingdom
Local time: 18:49
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English

12 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): -4

essentially the same ( prepared slightly stronger)

Explanation:
Prepared is ready in body and mind. It means properly expectant, organized, or equipped
.

Example: I'm prepared for a hurricane ( both mentally and equipment-wise)
Example: I'm ready to pack my things and go when she says so.

Lirka
Austria
Local time: 19:49
Native speaker of:

English

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)

disagree

liz askew: I am prepared to has a different meaning to I am prepared for.

56 mins

-> I am prepared to face the hurricane then :) cheers, liz

disagree

Tony M: Liz is right, 'prepared to' is quite different from 'prepared for'; and your use of 'prepared to face' changes the meaning yet again... depends if there is an "if I have to..." expressed or implied on the end...

1 hr

-> I disagree but OK

disagree

B D Finch: To be prepared to do something implies an unwelcome necessity. To be ready to do it is much more positive.

1 hr

-> You have a point, but it's not about how "positive" it is

disagree

Tina Vonhof (X): Prepared means that you have all your ducks in a row in case you need/decide to do something. Ready means that you have made a decision and will definitely do it. In your 2nd example you are not ready, you are 'prepared'.

8 hrs

-> different taste for language, I guess

agree

Gary D: I would agree more than disagree with your statement, prepared is a stronger statement of mind. Get ready to walk out the door...and when you are at the door... are you prepared..lets go. Prep (preparation) is the last thing done before you have an operat

12 hrs

-> Thanks, Gary, for your thorough explanation ( great hospital example) and for having the guts to contradict the rest of the respected community :)

disagree

conejo: "Ready" sounds like, "I have made my preparations, and I am mentally ready. Let's do it now!" "Prepared", I agree with BD Finch--it sounds like an unwelcome necessity, something you do when/if you have to.

4 days

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