all ready vs. already

What is the difference between all ready and already?

The phrase all ready functions as an adjective meaning “completely equipped, prepared, or ready.” For example:
  • “Are we all ready for the presentation to begin?”
  • “OK, I think I’m all ready for my trip to Europe!”
Unlike the term alright (an informal contraction of the phrase all right), already is not a contraction of all ready. Instead, it is a separate word that functions as an adverb, meaning “at or prior to a specified time” or “sooner or faster than expected,” as in:
  • “I can’t believe that it’s April already!”
  • “She had already mowed the lawn by the time I got home.”

Spelling Tricks and Tips

There are a couple of quick mnemonic tricks we can use to remember the difference between the two words:
  • All essentially means “everything,” so if you are all ready, then everything is ready.
  • Already means “sooner or faster than expected,” and it is faster to write already than all ready.
Get all volumes of The Farlex Grammar Book in paperback or eBook.
Share Tweet
aisle vs. isle all right vs. alright

Conversations