Already and all ready are correct words that sound identical but have different meanings and usage and are not interchangeable. Already is an adverb that’s used to describe a past event that happened before now or too soon while all ready is a phrase that means “completely prepared” or “collectively prepared.”
The one word already talks about an action or event that happened, while the two-word phrase all ready means something or someone is “fully ready.”
When to Use Already
We use already as an adverb to express that a past event happened before the present time. Moreover, it’s used to emphasize that something was completed before something else happened.
Already as an Adverb
Expressing that has happened before
The show had already started when I arrived at the movie theater.
Milo has already eaten dinner, so he’s not hungry anymore.
The interior design of my friend’s house is similar to those that I have already seen on the Internet.
Indicating that something has been done before
You don’t need to remind me what to do. You already told me that.
‘Do you want some tea?’ ‘No thanks, I already have one.’
This task’s already done; you don’t need to do it anymore.
Showing that something has happened too soon
‘It’s 7 o’clock already?’ ‘I guess time’s fast when you’re enjoying yourself.’
‘That’s a lot of food. Have you eaten all of that already?’
I was impressed by their service. It was already done when I went there to pick up my item.
Expressing that a situation might get worse
‘We’re already late! We need to hurry up.’
There’s nothing we can do; we already made a mistake.
‘You went home already? We’re not done yet with our project!’
When to Use All Ready
All Ready as a Phrase
All ready is a two-word phrase that describes that something or someone is completely prepared, or a group is “collectively prepared.” Collectively prepared means everyone in a group is completely ready. Another trick to remember is all ready is a synonym for “totally ready.”
Expressing that something or someone is prepared
I’m all ready for the trip tomorrow; I’m confident I won’t miss anything.
The cakes that were ordered today are all ready for pick up.
Jung Kook is all ready to take his career to the next level.
Indicating that a group is prepared
They have their bags and are all ready to leave.
‘Are you all ready to go camping next week?’
The students are all ready for their exams.
Conclusion: Already vs. All Ready: Which One is Correct?
Both already and all ready are correct words but are not interchangeable. Already is an adverb used to describe that an event is done before now or before a specified time. Meanwhile, all ready is a phrase that means something or something is completely prepared, or a group of people is collectively prepared.
Remember, already describes a past event while all ready describes that a thing or people are completely prepared. Use a template to improve writing to practice using already and all ready properly.
References:
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.) Already. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/ dictionary. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/already
Cambridge Dictionary. (n.d.) Already. In https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/ dictionary. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/already
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online. (n.d.). Already. Inhttps://www.ldoceonline.com/ dictionary. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/already
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Already. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/already
Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. (n.d.). Already. In https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/ dictionary. Retrieved February 23, 2022, from https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/already?q=already
