ready

Meanings

1. 1adjectiveafter a verb

   Prepared and able to do something or deal with something now.

   Grammar: Follows be or get and takes for or to: ready for the test, ready to leave.

   Patterns

   • ready for something
   • ready to do something
   • get ready

   Are you ready for the interview tomorrow?

   I'll be ready to leave in ten minutes.

   The team is ready to start as soon as the manager arrives.

2. 2adjectiveafter a verb

   Finished, set out and available for use or eating.

   Grammar: Used about things: dinner is ready.

   Patterns

   • something is ready
   • have something ready

   Dinner will be ready at seven.

   Your car is ready for collection.

   I'll have the report ready by Friday.

3. 3adjectiveafter a verb

   Willing or inclined to do something, often with enthusiasm.

   Grammar: Followed by to: ready to help.

   Patterns

   • ready to do something

   She is always ready to lend a hand.

   He seemed ready to forgive after the apology.

4. 4adjectivebefore a noun

   Easily obtained or quick to be used.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: a ready supply, ready cash.

   Patterns

   • ready access to something

   The village has ready access to clean water.

   He had a ready answer for every question.

Word forms

Common combinations

get ready

Get ready, because the bus leaves soon.

ready and waiting

The ambulance was ready and waiting outside.

ready for bed

The children were ready for bed by eight.

ready to go

The luggage is packed and ready to go.

ready access

Library members have ready access to the archives.

ready cash

I don't have ready cash to pay for the repairs.

Synonyms and how they differ

prepared

Prepared suggests that preparation has been done on purpose, whereas ready simply says that the person is in position to start.

set

Set is more informal and usually appears in the phrase all set, which stresses having arranged everything.

willing

Willing means not opposed to doing something, while ready also implies that the person is eager or fully prepared.

available

Available says that something can be had or used, but it does not suggest it has been made prepared.

Opposites

Word family

readiness noun

the state of being prepared

readily adverb

easily and willingly

ready verb

to prepare something, as in ready the troops

already adverb

before now or earlier than expected

Commonly confused: ready or already?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “ready”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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