这些易混淆的词语，千万别用错了！

Here we'll look at ten examples of compound confusables: words that mean one thing when written as a single word and something a bit different when written as two words.我们将举出十个例子，对容易混淆的复合词进行说明：即写作一个词和写作两个词意义不同的词语。

1. Already and All Ready The adverb already means "previously" or "by this time": Sasha has already left.副词already表示“以前”或“到现在”：萨沙已经离开了。

The phrase all ready means "completely prepared": We're all ready to go.短语all ready表示“准备充分的”：我们已经准备好要出发了。

2. Altogether and All Together The adverb altogether means "entirely" or "wholly": Gus has stopped riding the bus altogether.副词altogether表示“完全地“或“全部地”：格斯再也不开公共汽车了。

The phrase all together refers to people or things gathered in one place: The kids sit all together in the back of the bus. 短语all together指代人或物集中在一个地方：孩子们都坐在公共汽车的后面。

3. Anyone and Any One The indefinite pronoun anyone refers abstractly to any person, not to a particular individual: Anyone who has an opinion will probably offend someone.不定代词anyone抽象地指代任何人，而不是某一个人：有意见的人很可能会冒犯到别人。

The phrase any one refers to specific but unidentified things or individuals: With enough money, any one of us could be elected mayor.短语any one指代具体但身份不明的物或人：只要有足够的钱，我们每一个人都能够竞选成为市长。

4. Awhile and A WhileThe adverb awhile means "for a short time": Nico asked me to stay awhile and chat.副词awhile表示“一会儿”：尼克让我留下来聊一会儿天。

The noun a while refers to a period of time: Once in a while people surprise you and rise above self-interest.名词a while表示一段时间：有时候，人们会使你感到惊讶，他们抛开了个人利益。

5. Breakdown and Break DownThe noun breakdown refers to a failure to function, a collapse, or an analysis: The topic of her project is the breakdown of the American family.