Already vs. All Ready — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on November 10, 2023
"Already" refers to something that has happened before a certain time, while "All Ready" means fully prepared.
Difference Between Already and All Ready
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Already" is an adverb that indicates that a particular action has taken place earlier than expected or before a specified time. "All Ready", on the other hand, is a phrase which means that everything or everyone is prepared. For example, if you say "I've already eaten," you mean that you've eaten before now. Conversely, "We are all ready for the picnic" implies that everyone is set to go.
When using "Already", the emphasis is on the timing of an action. This could be in the context of surprise or emphasis that the action occurred sooner than anticipated. "All Ready" doesn't concern timing; rather, it's about the state of readiness. If someone said "I'm already at the venue," they are stressing their early arrival. But, "The team is all ready for the presentation" emphasizes the preparedness of the team.
It's essential to choose the right term based on the context. "Already" is about a past action or situation that is relevant to the present moment. "All Ready" simply conveys complete preparation. "She had already seen the movie" suggests a past viewing, whereas "She's all ready to see the movie" conveys that she's prepped and eager.
Sometimes people mistakenly use one for the other. Remember, "Already" is tied to time, and "All Ready" is tied to preparedness. If one says "The parcels are already to be shipped", it's incorrect. The right phrase would be "The parcels are all ready to be shipped."
Finally, while "Already" is a single word, "All Ready" is a two-word phrase. This distinction can help writers and speakers ensure they use each correctly. Just recall that if you're referring to time, "Already" is your word, but if you're highlighting readiness, then "All Ready" is the appropriate choice.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Adverb
Two-word phrase
Refers To
A prior occurrence in time
Being completely prepared
Example
"She already finished her homework."
"She is all ready for her exam tomorrow."
Common Mistake
Used to emphasize readiness
Used to emphasize a past event
Contextual Emphasis
Emphasizes the early occurrence or surprise in timing
Emphasizes the completeness or entirety of preparation
Compare with Definitions
Already
By or before a specified time.
It's already 5 pm.
All Ready
In a complete state of preparation.
Dinner is all ready to be served.
Already
Earlier than anticipated.
He's already here!
All Ready
No further preparation required.
She's all ready for her trip.
Already
In the recent past.
I've already told him the news.
All Ready
Set to commence or begin.
The team is all ready to start.
Already
Used to emphasize that a situation exists.
There are already too many apples.
All Ready
Fully prepared.
The students are all ready for the test.
Already
Used to express surprise about something that has or hasn't happened.
You're leaving already?
All Ready
Everything or everyone is in a state of readiness.
The ingredients are all ready on the counter.
Already
By this or a specified time
The children were already asleep when we got home.
Already
So soon
Are you quitting already?.
Already
(Informal) Used as an intensive
Be quiet already. Enough already.
Already
Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
I was surprised that she hadn’t already told me the news.
Much of what he said I knew already.
Already
So soon.
Are you quitting already?
Already
(US) An intensifier used to emphasize impatience or express exasperation.
I wish they'd finish already, so we can get going.
Enough already!
Be quiet already!
Already
Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
I say unto you, that Elias is come already.
Already
Prior to a specified or implied time;
She has already graduated
Common Curiosities
Does "already" always relate to time?
Primarily, yes. It denotes that an action is completed by a certain time or sooner than expected.
What does "already" mean?
"Already" is an adverb that indicates something has happened before a specific time or earlier than anticipated.
Can you use "already" in a sentence?
Yes: "She has already finished her homework."
Is "already" formal or informal?
It's neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
How does "already" differ from "yet"?
"Already" suggests completion, while "yet" in questions often asks if something expected has happened. Compare: "Have you already finished?" with "Haven't you finished yet?"
How can "all ready" be used in a sentence?
For instance: "The students are all ready for the field trip."
Is "all ready" a single word?
No, it's two separate words: "all" (meaning completely or everyone) and "ready" (meaning prepared).
How is "already" used in the present perfect tense?
It's used to show that something happened before now, e.g., "I've already seen that movie."
Can "already" be used at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes, for emphasis: "Already, there are signs of improvement."
Is "already" used in questions?
Absolutely. For example: "Have you already eaten?"
Can "already" emphasize surprise?
Yes, as in: "You're leaving already?"
How does "all ready" differ from "already"?
"All ready" refers to complete preparedness, while "already" relates to time and early completion.
Can "all ready" be used for non-human subjects?
Yes, e.g., "The ingredients are all ready to be mixed."
Can "all ready" be used in questions?
Yes, like: "Are you all ready to go?"
How can one remember the difference between "already" and "all ready"?
Think of "all ready" as everything/everyone being in a state of readiness, and "already" as something happening before a specific time.
Does "already" have a synonym?
"Previously" can sometimes be used similarly, but the context and nuance might differ.
What does "all ready" mean?
"All ready" means that everything or everyone is prepared.
Is there a synonym for "all ready"?
"Fully prepared" or "set" can convey a similar meaning in some contexts.
Is "all ready" commonly confused with "already"?
Yes, they're often mixed up due to their similar pronunciation.
Can "all ready" describe a group's state?
Yes, as in: "The team was all ready for the challenge."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
