Already vs. All ready: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on January 28, 2024
Already refers to something done or existing before a specified time, while all ready means being completely prepared.
Key Differences
Already signifies that an action or event has occurred by a specific past time or even before now. It often implies a sense of surprise or emphasis on the earliness of an action. For instance, "I've already finished the report" suggests completion before expected. On the other hand, All ready is used when everything or everyone is completely prepared, organized, or in place. For example, "We were all ready for the trip," indicates that everyone involved was prepared at that moment.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Already is an adverb, modifying verbs to indicate prior completion or occurrence of an action. It is often used in perfect tenses, such as "She had already left when I arrived." This usage emphasizes that the action (leaving) was completed before another action (arriving). Contrastingly, All ready is an adjective phrase, qualifying the state of readiness of a subject. "The team was all ready for the presentation" highlights that the team, as a whole, was prepared and equipped for the presentation.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
The use of Already often introduces a note of surprise or unexpectedness in a statement. For example, "He's already gone to bed?" conveys astonishment that the person went to bed earlier than anticipated. Conversely, All ready lacks this connotation of surprise, instead, it simply states a fact about preparedness, as in, "The guests were all ready for dinner," which just informs about the state of readiness of the guests.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
In negative constructions, Already is used to negate the expectation of the occurrence of an event by a certain time, like in "He hasn't already left, has he?" Here, the speaker is surprised or unsure about the early departure. In contrast, All ready in negative contexts would imply that not everything or everyone is prepared, as in "We're not all ready to leave," meaning some preparations are still pending.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Already can also indicate something that has existed for a certain duration, often used in expressions like, "I already knew that." This implies prior knowledge before the current conversation. All ready, however, does not have such an implication of duration. It is more momentary, focusing on the current state of preparedness, as in "The performers are all ready to start," which refers to their immediate readiness.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Usage in Sentences
Common in perfect tenses
Used to describe a group's state
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
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Already and All ready Definitions
Already
Used in expressing surprise at the early occurrence of something.
Is it already 10 PM?
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Jan 05, 2024
All ready
Refers to the state of being fully equipped or arranged.
The hall was all ready for the ceremony.
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Jan 05, 2024
Already
Used to emphasize that something was done or happened sooner than expected.
She's already finished the book.
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Jan 05, 2024
All ready
Indicates that no further preparation is needed.
Dinner is all ready to be served.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Already
Refers to a situation or action that has existed or been performed before a point in time.
I already knew the answer.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
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Already
Before or by now or the time in question.
I've already eaten dinner.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
All ready
Used to describe collective preparedness.
The team is all ready to present.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Already
Indicates prior action or occurrence.
They had already arrived when we got there.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
All ready
Everyone or everything is in a state of readiness.
The students are all ready for the test.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Already
By this or a specified time
The children were already asleep when we got home.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
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!
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Already
Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
I say unto you, that Elias is come already.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 05, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can "already" indicate previous knowledge?
Yes, as in "I already knew that."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Can "already" be used at the beginning of a sentence?
Yes, for emphasis, e.g., "Already, the guests had arrived."
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Is "all ready" used for groups or individuals?
Both, but it often refers to groups.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Does "already" work with present perfect tense?
Yes, it's commonly used in this tense.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Is "all ready" one word or two?
It's two words, meaning completely prepared.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Can "already" be used in questions?
Yes, often to express surprise or confirmation.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Can "all ready" be used in negative sentences?
Yes, to indicate someone/something isn't prepared.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Is "already" suitable for future tense?
Rarely, it's mostly used for past actions.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Does "already" have a time-related meaning?
Yes, it relates to actions before a certain time.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Is "all ready" formal or informal?
It is neutral and used in both contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Can "already" be replaced with "by now"?
Often, but not always, as it depends on context.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Is "already" used in informal language?
Yes, it's common in both formal and informal contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Can "all ready" be used with singular nouns?
Yes, if it refers to a collective aspect of a single entity.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
Does "all ready" have different meanings?
Its meanings are related to readiness or preparation.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 28, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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