All ready and already

These words are often confused. Already is an adverb. It means ‘by now’ or ‘sooner than expected’. All ready means ‘all are ready’.

•  Incorrect: We are already for the show.

• Correct: We are all ready for the show.
• Incorrect: They have all ready arrived.
• Correct: They have already arrived.

Complete the following sentences using all ready or already.

1. The train had ……………… left before we reached the station.

2. The patient had …………………… died before the doctor arrived.

3. Have you ……………………… Finished?

4. ‘Are you ……………………?’ ‘No, John isn’t.’