What's the Difference Between 'All Ready' and 'Already'?

In this blog post we look at when to use all ready and when to use already.

'All Ready' or 'Already'?

The phrases “all ready” and “already” are homonyms, meaning they sound the same.  Their meanings however are very different.

"All ready" means that everyone or everything is prepared or ready. It is used to describe a group or collection that is fully prepared or ready for something. For example: "We are all ready to leave for the concert."

"Already" is an adverb that means "prior to a specified or implied time." It is used to describe something that has happened or is in a state of completion before the time being considered. For example: "I have already eaten dinner, so I am not hungry."

In summary, "all ready" describes a state of readiness, while "already" describes an event that has happened before the present time.

Here are some examples to explain the differences:

"All ready" examples:

  • "Are you all ready for the big game tomorrow?" (Asking if the person is prepared for the game)

  • "We need to make sure that everyone is all ready before we leave for the trip." (Ensuring that the group is prepared for the trip)

  • "The team is all ready to tackle the new project." (The team is prepared to start the project)

"Already" is an adverb that means "prior to a specified or implied time." It is used to describe something that has happened or is in a state of completion before the time being considered. For example:

"Already" examples:

  • "I have already finished my homework, so I can watch TV now." (The action of finishing homework has been completed before the present time)

  • "She has already eaten, so she won't be joining us for dinner." (The action of eating has been completed before the present time)

  • "We already knew about the change in plans, so it wasn't a surprise to us." (The knowledge of the change in plans was acquired before the present time)

Examples of All Ready in a Sentence

  1. "Are you all ready for the big presentation tomorrow?"

  2. "We need to make sure that everyone is all ready before we leave for the concert."

  3. "The team is all ready to tackle the new project."

  4. "I'm all ready for bed, I just need to brush my teeth."

  5. "The party is all ready to start, we just need to wait for the guest of honor to arrive."

  6. "The kids are all ready for their first day of school."

  7. "The wedding party is all ready to go down the aisle."

  8. "Are you guys all ready for the road trip?"

  9. "I've packed everything and I'm all ready to leave for the airport."

  10. "The house is all ready for the holidays, with decorations up and presents wrapped."

Examples of Already in a Sentence

    1. "I have already finished my homework, so I can watch TV now."

    2. "She has already eaten, so she won't be joining us for dinner."

    3. "We already knew about the change in plans, so it wasn't a surprise to us."

    4. "He has already left for work, so he won't be able to attend the meeting."

    5. "I've already seen that movie, so I'm not interested in watching it again."

    6. "She has already passed the test, so she doesn't need to worry about it anymore."

    7. "We've already finished the project, so there's no need to rush."

    8. "The store has already closed for the day, so we'll have to come back tomorrow."

    9. "I've already booked my tickets for the concert, have you?"

    10. "The bus has already left, so we'll have to wait for the next one."


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