The words "prepare" and "ready" are often confused, but they have distinct meanings. "Prepare" is a verb that means to make something or someone ready for something else. It describes the process of getting ready. "Ready," on the other hand, is an adjective that describes a state of being prepared. It describes the result of preparation.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Prepare: I need to prepare dinner before my parents arrive. (Meaning: I need to cook the dinner.)

• Ready: Dinner is ready to be served. (Meaning: The dinner is cooked and prepared for eating.)

• Prepare: Athletes prepare for competitions by training hard. (Meaning: Athletes do the things necessary to get ready for competitions.)

• Ready: The athletes are ready to start the race. (Meaning: The athletes have finished their preparation and are prepared to race.)

• Prepare: She is preparing a presentation for her class. (Meaning: She is doing the work required to complete her presentation.)

• Ready: Her presentation is ready to be delivered. (Meaning: The presentation is complete and she is ready to give it.)

Notice that "prepare" describes an action, a process of getting ready, while "ready" describes a state of being prepared. You can prepare something or someone, but something or someone is ready. Using the correct word depends on whether you are describing the act of preparation or the state of being prepared.

Happy learning!