All Ready vs. Already – Which is Correct?

The distinction between all ready and already is crucial for clear communication. All ready, as two words, means completely prepared. Already, as a single word, is an adverb indicating that something has happened by or before a particular time. Both are correct, but used in different contexts.

All Ready or Already – Which is Correct?

Both “all ready” and “already” are correct in American English, but they serve entirely different grammatical functions and convey distinct meanings. The confusion often arises from their similar pronunciation and the shared root word “ready.” Understanding their individual roles is key to using them accurately.

All ready is an adjective phrase meaning “completely prepared” or “fully set.” It describes a state of readiness. You can often substitute it with “completely prepared” to check if you’re using it correctly.

Already is an adverb that indicates something has happened “by this time,” “previously,” or “so soon.” It relates to the timing of an event. A good mnemonic is that “already” implies something has happened *earlier* than expected or *before* the present moment.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
All ready	Adjective Phrase	Completely prepared; fully set	The team is all ready for the presentation.
Already	Adverb	By this time; previously; so soon	I have already finished my homework.

How to Use All Ready

“All ready” functions as an adjective phrase, meaning that everything is prepared or in a state of readiness. It describes the condition of a subject. It’s often followed by a prepositional phrase (e.g., “for the party,” “to go”) or used alone to indicate complete preparedness. Its tone is neutral and descriptive.

Example 1: Are you all ready for your trip next week?

Example 2: The ingredients for the cake are all ready on the counter.

Example 3: The children were all ready to leave for the park when the rain started.

What are the different forms of all ready?

“All ready” is an adjective phrase and does not have different forms in the same way a single verb or noun might. “All” acts as an intensifier or quantifier here, modifying “ready.” The word “ready” itself can have comparative and superlative forms (readier, readiest), but the phrase “all ready” remains static. It describes a state, and that state is either present or not.

Etymology of the phrase all ready

The phrase “all ready” combines the Old English word ‘eal’ (meaning “whole” or “entire”) with ‘rǣde’ (meaning “prepared” or “prompt”). Over time, ‘eal’ evolved into “all” and ‘rǣde’ into “ready.” The two words maintained their separate meanings and functions, forming a descriptive phrase that indicates complete preparedness.

How to Use Already

“Already” is an adverb that indicates an action or state has occurred earlier than expected, or by a specific time, whether past, present, or future. It can express a sense of surprise, impatience, or simply state a fact about timing. It typically precedes the main verb (especially auxiliary verbs like ‘have’ or ‘be’) or follows it, depending on emphasis and verb structure.

Example 1: She has already submitted her application, even though the deadline is next month.

Example 2: When I arrived, they were already halfway through dinner.

Example 3: Don’t worry about cooking; I’ve already ordered pizza.

What are the different forms of already?

As an adverb, “already” does not have different forms (like tenses, plurals, or comparative/superlative forms) in the way that verbs, nouns, or adjectives do. It is a fixed word that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, providing information about timing.

Etymology of the word already

The word “already” emerged in Middle English as a compound of “all” (from Old English ‘eal,’ meaning “entirely” or “completely”) and “ready” (from Old English ‘rǣde,’ meaning “prepared for immediate action” or “present”). It developed into a single word to specifically denote “by this time” or “before now,” distinguishing itself from the descriptive phrase “all ready.”

Related Concepts

Understanding the difference between “all ready” and “already” highlights the importance of distinguishing between adjective phrases and adverbs. An adjective phrase (like “all ready”) modifies a noun or pronoun, describing its quality or state. It answers questions like “What kind?” or “Which one?” An adverb (like “already”) modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb, providing information about how, when, where, or to what extent an action occurs. It answers questions like “When?” or “How?” Recognizing these fundamental grammatical roles is key to avoiding confusion with other similar-sounding word pairs.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “They were all ready to embark on the grand adventure, their bags packed and spirits high.” – (referring to being fully prepared)
• “I’ve already seen that movie twice; let’s watch something else.” – (indicating a past action completed before now)
• “The table was all ready for the feast, laden with delicacies and fine china.” – (describing the state of preparedness of the table)
• “She felt a pang of regret, realizing he had already left before she could apologize.” – (emphasizing the timing of his departure)
• “Is everyone all ready for the group photo?” asked the photographer. – (checking if everyone is completely prepared)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The students were _____ for the pop quiz. (all ready / already)
2. I have _____ finished my chores for the day. (all ready / already)
3. Is the dinner table _____? (all ready / already)
4. By the time we arrived, the play had _____ begun. (all ready / already)
5. We need to be _____ to leave by 8 AM. (all ready / already)

Answer Key

1. all ready
2. already
3. all ready
4. already
5. all ready

All Ready Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Prepared	Made ready for use or consideration.
Set	In a state of readiness for some purpose or use.
Poised	Having a composed and self-assured manner; ready for action.
Equipped	Supplied with the necessary items for a particular purpose.

Already Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Previously	At an earlier time; before now.
Beforehand	In advance; in anticipation.
By now	At the present time, considering past events.
Heretofore	Before this time; until now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can “all ready” ever be one word?
No, “all ready” should always be written as two separate words. If you combine them into one word, you get “already,” which has a completely different meaning and grammatical function as an adverb.

Question 2: How can I remember the difference between “all ready” and “already”?
Think of “all ready” as meaning “all things are ready” or “completely prepared.” For “already,” remember that the single word implies something has happened earlier or by this time, relating to time. If you can substitute “completely prepared,” use “all ready.” If it’s about timing, use “already.”

Question 3: Is it possible to use “already” and “all ready” in the same sentence?
Yes, it is possible and grammatically correct to use both in the same sentence, as they perform different roles. For example: “The guests were all ready for the party, but the host had already gone to bed.”

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between “all ready” and “already” is a hallmark of precise English usage. Remember that “all ready” describes a state of complete preparedness, functioning as an adjective phrase. Conversely, “already” is an adverb that conveys information about timing, indicating that something has occurred by a certain point. Paying close attention to the context and the intended meaning will help you choose the correct term every time. Pro Tip: Using these words correctly enhances your professional credibility and ensures your message is clear and unambiguous.