One Word? Two Words?
Be sure you are using the right word for your meaning!
These words often get mixed up with each other, but they mean different things usually.
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all ready--completely prepared The boat will be all ready to sail by next month. |
already--adverb concerning a recent past time Harvey had already left the class when his pen was found. |
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Constance had already packed the car by the time the family was all ready. | |
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all right--adverb or adjective--formal usage (scientific and academic writing) The theses that were written were all right. |
alright--alternate spelling, informal or casual usage Linus hit his head on the door, but seems alright. |
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Jack was alright after the operation; The doctors were all right. (Both spellings are correct, but the first one is informal usage and second one is formal usage. Use one or the other when writing something. Be consistent!) | |
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all together--a whole; summed up All together now, sing! |
altogether--wholly, completely, entirely Will has his thoughts altogether focused on his studies. |
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The class went to the play all together and had an altogether great time! | |
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anyone--pronoun--any person at all Has anyone seen my notebook? |
any one--adjective + noun--a particular item in a group If any one of you have it, please give it back. |
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Any one of them could have asked if anyone had arrived yet. | |
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anyway--adverb--nonetheless, in any case Nora burned the roast beef, but she served it anyway. |
any way--adjective + noun--a particular direction or manner Is there any way to fix this table? |
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I am not sure there any way to get to the concert on time, but I am going anyway. | |
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awhile--adverb---a short time Barbie said she would be ready in awhile, so I'll wait for her. |
a while--article + noun--a period of time (usually needs a preposition) Cinderella and the Prince danced for a while, then the clock struck midnight. |
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It has been a while since we talked for awhile. | |
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everyone--pronoun--all people at a certain time or place Everyone in the room loves Sharon. |
every one--adjective + noun--all people Robert told every one of his friends that he got the highest mark in the class. |
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Everyone out of the pool, and I mean every one of you! | |
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maybe--adverb--perhaps Maybe I love you, and maybe I don't. |
may be--verb form of be (possibly) It may be a long time until Catherine's house is finished. |
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It may be that a "maybe" is the only answer you will get from her. |
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Exercise: One Word or Two Words?
Did Nate (all ready, already) leave?
Julian (maybe, may be) fooling us when he says he is Italian.
(Every one, everyone) plays word games nowadays.
(All together, altogether) we can win.
By the time Aunt Tilly had finished serving everyone's meal, Sheila was (all ready, already) finished eating.
Our professor got disconnected from the internet, but the class continued (any way, anyway).
If (any one, anyone) deserves praise, Luke does.
The cake looked (all right, alright), but Molly said it was overcooked.
"This may take (awhile, a while)", the beautician told Annie, "but the results will be worth it."
Is there (anyway, any way) to help her with her bills?