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Allowed vs. Aloud, All ready vs. Already, All together vs. Altogether, All right vs. Alright, Altar vs. Alter

Here are a few tricky homonyms clarified for you.

Allowed vs. Aloud
Allowed means gave permission to.
Example: You will be allowed to enter the theater in five minutes.
Aloud means said out loud; spoken.
Example: She read her work aloud at the poetry slam.

All ready vs. Already

These two words may sound alike when you say them, but they have distinct meanings.
All ready means entirely ready.

Example: We are all ready to go.

Already means previously or so soon.

Examples: Is it summer already? (so soon)
I did the dishes already. (previously)

All together vs. Altogether

All together, which is a phrase, means in a group.

Examples: We are all together in the photo.
It is wonderful to be all together to celebrate your birthday.

Note that all can be omitted from sentences without affecting the meaning.

Altogether is an adverb meaning entirely, completely, everything included.

Examples: It is not altogether his fault. (entirely)
We had an altogether wonderful day. (completely)
Altogether, the groceries cost thirty dollars. (everything included)

All right vs. Alright

The word alright means the same as the phrase all right; however, alright is not considered a correct spelling in more formal writing.

Altar vs. Alter

Altar means pedestal, usually of a religious kind.

Example: They exchanged wedding vows at the altar of the church.

Alter means to change.

Example: Please don’t alter your plans.

Pop Quiz

1. We had to altar/alter our wedding plans because of the unseasonable rain.
2. I’m not sure that your conclusion is all together/altogether correct.
3. We were all together/altogether for our family reunion.
4. When will you be all ready/already to go to the party?
5. Tell me the secret all ready/already before I go crazy.

Answers

1. alter
2. altogether
3. all together
4. all ready
5. already

Posted on Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pm

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