Confusing Words: Lonely (adjective) and Alone (adjective/adverb)
Meaning:
Lonely (sad because one has no friends or company.)
Alone (having no one else present.)
Alone vs Lonely Clarification: Lonely and alone are both adjectives but alone can be used as an adverb as well
Lonely vs Alone – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
The words alone and lonely do not sound same. They have different spellings along with meanings. For people, the meanings of both of these words are similar but it is the truth that lonely and alone can be used in different situations or circumstances.
So, you have to be alert enough to differentiate between the words ‘alone’ and ‘lonely’.
Let us discuss the meanings, functions and some examples of lonely and alone.
Meanings and Examples of Alone and Lonely
Alone and Lonely have quite similar meanings but what are the specific situations for the usage of both of these words?
Lonely
Lonely is used as an adjective in sentences. If you are sad and you are very much exhausted by the fact that you are the only person left at home. It means that you are lonely not alone. Lonely is defined as ‘a feeling of sorrow, depression, grief or sadness’. This sort of feeling comes from isolation and you do not like it at all. You do not feel happy of this situation.
I will let you know that how you can use this word in sentences.
1. My friend feels lonely because there is no excitement in her life.
2. Sorrow and anxiety can make you feel lonely.
3. When you are lonely, you are looking for someone or something to fill your time, to fill the void in your schedule and to fill a void in your heart. Reference – (mindbodygreen.com)
So, it is good for you not feel lonely anymore and enjoy your life.
Alone
Alone can be used as an adjective or an adverb.
‘Alone is the opposite of Lonely’
If you are enjoying everyone’s absence because you can do whatever you want, it means that you are not lonely but alone. It is completely your choice to be alone. For instance, you can like living alone but you do not like of being lonely. Alone describes any one who has no one else around and who is living a separate life from others.
Examples:
1. I wanted to be alone because I had to finish my work.
2. Please come back home, I am alone here.
3. Did they travel alone or did they take the children with them. Reference – (Cambridge Dictionary)
Check Out: The Difference Between Began and Begun.
The Differences Between Being Lonely and Being Alone
1. Loneliness can be the most dangerous isolation ; being alone can give you happiness in isolation.
2. In loneliness, you feel empty inside, even if you are in a crowd.
3. If you are alone, it means that no one else is with you. It is a state of being.
4. Loneliness is a grief; being alone is pleasure.
5. When you are alone, you can connect to yourself and love yourself.
6. Loneliness is all about disconnection.
Hence, it has been clear that the words ‘lonely’ and ‘alone’ have different situations to use in.
What Did You Learn?
Lonely and alone are both adjectives but alone can be used as an adverb as well. Being alone is a positive isolation when a person has no one with him/her. Being lonely, on the other hand, is a negative isolation. It is a feeling of sorrow or depression.