The difference between already and all ready (grammar lesson)


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All ready means 'completely prepared'. Already means 'prior to a specified or implied time'.

The terms 'all ready' and 'already' sound identical and are sometimes confused.

All ready

The term 'all ready' means 'completely prepared'. It is slightly more emphatic than just 'prepared'.

Example:

Jillian is all ready. Mark is prepared to brief.

(Most readers would assume Jillian's state of preparedness to be higher than Mark's.)

Of course, like thousands of other nouns and pronouns, the word 'all' (an indefinite pronoun) can precede 'ready'.

Example:

Is the tent ready? Is Jane ready? Are you ready? Are you all ready?

Already

The word 'already' is an adverb meaning 'prior to a specified or implied time' or 'as early as now'.

It is already illegal to culture human-animal embryos for more than fourteen days.

(already = since before now)

When they pulled the shark up in the net it was already dead.

(already = since before then)

The wild Hepatica Nobilis flowers are already blooming - one month
earlier than last year.

(already = as early as now)

Select the correct version:

ALL READY = READY

'Ready' can replace 'all ready' but not 'already'. Therefore, try to use just 'ready'. If your sentence still makes sense, then you are safe to use 'all ready'; otherwise, use 'already'.

Jean is all ready.
(Try the substitution: Jean is ready.

(Therefore, 'all ready' is correct.)

I have already seen the latest play.
(Try the substitution: I have ready seen the latest play.