Commonly confused words

already vs. all ready already (previously, before now) Anna has already agreed to come. The meeting already started when I arrived.   all ready (completely ready) She was all ready to leave. I was all ready for the winter.   already vs. all ready – English Vocabulary

aloud vs. allowed aloud (in a loud voice) Would you please read the poem aloud? Jane just whispers; she doesn’t speak aloud.   allowed (permitted) Smoking is not allowed here. You’re not allowed to talk during the exam.   aloud vs. allowed – English Vocabulary

  a lot (very much) I have paid a lot for this car. Thank you a lot.   allot (allocate, allow to have) Please complete the test within the time allotted. They intend to allocate more money to the project.   a lot vs. allot – English Vocabulary

allay vs. alley allay (to reduce an unpleasant feeling) The president is keen to allay the public’s fears. I did what I could to allay her worries. alley (a narrow street) When he saw the police arrive, he bolted into a dark alley. They have lived in the same alley for …

allusion vs. illusion allusion (indirect reference) She made no allusion to her first marriage. He left without any allusion to the date of his return.   illusion (a false belief or idea) All these mirrors on the walls give the illusion of space. What we saw in the sky was …