Have you ever heard the phrase “Ready or not” and wondered what it really means? 🤔
You might hear it in movies, songs, or even during a game of hide and seek — “Ready or not, here I come!” But what does it actually mean, and how do the words “ready” and “not” work together and separately?
In this simple guide, we’ll explain:
- The meaning of “ready” and “not”
- The difference between them
- When and how to use each word correctly
- Easy examples and grammar tips
By the end, you’ll never be confused about when to use “ready” or “not” again!
💬 What Does Each Word Mean?
Let’s start by understanding the two words separately before seeing how they work together.
✅ What Does “Ready” Mean?
“Ready” means prepared — when you have done everything you need before something happens.
It’s an adjective (a describing word) that tells us someone or something is prepared for action or use.
Examples:
- I’m ready for school.
- The food is ready to serve.
- Are you ready for the test?
In all these examples, “ready” describes a state of being prepared — mentally, physically, or practically.
🚫 What Does “Not” Mean?
“Not” is a negative word.
It’s used to make a sentence negative, meaning “no” or “it isn’t true.”
It’s often used before verbs, adjectives, or other words to show the opposite of something.
Examples:
- I am not tired.
- She is not ready.
- They do not like spicy food.
Here, “not” changes the meaning to the opposite — for example, “ready” becomes “not ready.”
⚖️ The Key Difference Between “Ready” and “Not”
The word “ready” means prepared, while “not” means the opposite of yes or no.
When you combine them — “not ready” — it means unprepared.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ready | Adjective | Prepared or set to begin | “I’m ready for the race.” |
| Not | Adverb | Used to make something negative | “I’m not going.” |
| Not Ready | Phrase | Unprepared, not yet done | “I’m not ready for the exam.” |
🧠 Quick Tip to Remember:
Think of “ready” as a green light 🟢 — you’re good to go.
Think of “not” as a red light 🔴 — it stops or reverses the meaning.
❌ Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
People often mix up “ready” and “not ready” because they forget how “not” changes the meaning.
Let’s look at a few examples:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I’m ready not to go. | I’m not ready to go. | The “not” should come before “ready,” not after. |
| She’s ready not yet. | She’s not ready yet. | “Not” comes before “ready” for correct English order. |
| I’m not ready go. | I’m not ready to go. | Always use “to” before a verb after “ready.” |
✅ Tip: When you want to say someone isn’t prepared, always use “not ready”, not “ready not.”
🕐 When to Use “Ready”
Use “ready” when you are prepared, set, or finished preparing.
Examples:
- I’m ready to leave.
- Dinner is ready now.
- The team is ready for the match.
- Are you ready to start your homework?
- She’s always ready to help others.
🧩 Memory Trick:
If you feel confident and prepared, you’re ready — just like pressing “Start” on a video game.
🕓 When to Use “Not”
Use “not” when you want to make a word or sentence negative — it simply means no or the opposite.
Examples:
- I am not happy.
- They are not at home.
- She’s not ready yet.
- We do not agree.
- It’s not raining.
🧠 Memory Hack:
Adding “not” flips the meaning — think of it like flipping a switch from “yes” to “no.”
🔁 Quick Recap: Ready vs Not
- Ready = Prepared
- Not = Negative word (means ‘no’)
- Not ready = Unprepared
In short:
👉 “Ready” = You can start.
👉 “Not ready” = You need more time.
Summary Table:
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ready | Prepared | “I’m ready for my turn.” |
| Not | Negative word (means no) | “I’m not coming.” |
| Not Ready | Unprepared | “I’m not ready for that yet.” |
🧠 Advanced Tips (For Curious Learners)
- The word “ready” comes from Old English ræde, meaning “prepared or arranged.”
- In modern culture, “Ready or not” is used in games, songs, and movies — often meaning “Whether you’re prepared or not, something is about to happen.”
- Example: In hide-and-seek, when someone says “Ready or not, here I come!”, it means “I’m coming whether you’re prepared or not.”
- In writing or speeches, “ready” sounds confident, while “not” adds hesitation or refusal.
📝 Mini Quiz — Test Yourself!
Fill in the blanks with ready or not:
- I’m ______ for my presentation.
- She’s ______ at home right now.
- Dinner is ______ yet.
- They are ______ to leave.
- Are you ______ for the test tomorrow?
- I’m ______ sure about this decision.
(Answers: 1. ready, 2. not, 3. not, 4. ready, 5. ready, 6. not)
❓ FAQs
1. What does “ready or not” mean?
It means something will happen whether you are prepared or not — often used playfully or seriously to show action is about to start.
2. What is the difference between “ready” and “not ready”?
“Ready” means prepared, while “not ready” means unprepared or not yet done.
3. How can I use “not” correctly?
Use “not” to make a sentence negative — for example, “I am not tired,” or “She is not ready.”
4. Can I say “ready not”?
No. The correct order is “not ready”, not “ready not.”
5. What does “Get ready” mean?
It means to prepare yourself — for example, “Get ready for dinner” means “Prepare for dinner.”
🏁 Conclusion
Now you know the full meaning and difference between “ready” and “not.”
Remember: “Ready” means prepared, and “not” means the opposite — together they create “not ready,” meaning unprepared.
So, next time you hear “Ready or not,” you’ll know it means something’s coming — even if you aren’t prepared yet!
Keep learning, keep practicing, and soon your English will be “ready” for anything! 🌟
Arwen Blythe is a passionate language and culture enthusiast, crafting clear, engaging guides on words, phrases, and modern English for Definevs.com readers.
