English Grammar
ALONE vs LONELY
What is the difference and when do we use them?
ALONE:
When you are alone you are unaccompanied or without anyone else.
Alone has the same meaning as 'on your own' or 'by yourself'
which are usually interchangeable.
Alone can also mean ‘uniquely, ‘solely’, ‘exclusively’.
LONELY:
When you are lonely you are unhappy without the company of other people.
Lonely can also mean ‘deserted’, ‘remote’ or ‘unfrequented’.
ALONE
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LONELY
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Unaccompanied, without anyone else:
- She was alone when it happened.
- It’s not safe to go there alone.
- Sometimes I like to be alone.
- He was alone on the beach.
‘Uniquely, ‘solely’, ‘exclusively’:
- The blame is mine alone.
- Water alone won’t remove the stain.
- You cannot live on bread alone.
- Medicine alone will not cure her condition.
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Unhappy without the company of other people:
- Joe was lonely without his wife.
- Lou was very lonely after she left home
- It’s lonely with noone else in the office.
- At first I had no friends so I was lonely.
‘Deserted’, ‘remote’ or ‘unfrequented’:
- He drove down a lonely country lane.
- Not many want to live in a lonely area.
- He chose a lonely spot for his tent.
- I would feel nervous in that lonely place.
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ALONE / ON YOUR OWN / BY YOURSELF
Whether the meaning is ‘unaccompanied’ or ‘without any help’, these words are usually interchangeable.
There are many things children can do alone/on their own/by themselves.
Charlie says he can manage the farm alone/on his own/by himself.
Laura raised the children alone/on her own/by herself when Tom died.
I don’t need any help. I can do it alone/on my own/by myself.
She was sitting alone/on her own/ by herself in a corner waiting for the results.
It’s a game you can play alone/on your own/by yourself.
At that age children can usually read alone/on their own/by themselves.
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