All right

Travis   Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:17 pm GMT
So the clear split between the two is not consistent throughout NAE, it seems. On that note, at least here "all right" and "alright" mean two different things, and while one might replace "alright" with "all right" in writing (as just a more traditional spelling), "all right" proper cannot be replaced by "alright" whatsoever, whether in writing or in speech.
Guest   Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:18 pm GMT
>>"all right" proper cannot be replaced by "alright" whatsoever<<

It can, to indicate an affirmative, for example.
Travis   Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:22 pm GMT
I should have been clearer about what I meant. I meant that sentences like "they are all right" (as in all of them are correct) cannot be replaced by "they are alright" (as in they are okay), which in speech corresponds to a pronunciation difference here. "Alright" cannot be used as a mere spelling variant of "all right" here, as there are places such as that above where to change "all right" with "alright" would change the meaning.
Guest   Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:38 pm GMT
"All right" isn't in fashion anymore darlings.
C6143RE   Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:46 am GMT
I read both "all right" and "alright" quite routinely.

However, as Travis noted, "all right" can be used in all situations whereas "alright" can only be used in specific circumstances (as in "OK").

There often is a pronunciation difference between:

Those answers are all right (all correct)

and:

They're all right/alright (OK)

(the spelling is of no consequence here because we are discussing speech)

At its most colloquial, the pronunciation is considerably different:

Awright, dude!
Ted   Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:47 am GMT
I've just looked up "alright" in my 2002 OED. It had this advice: When writing, use the spelling "all right" rather than "alright".

So, from that, "alright" exists only in speech, when it sounds exactly the same as "all right", so it doesn't really exist at all
C6151EB   Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:06 am GMT
"I've just looked up 'alright' in my 2002 OED. It had this advice: When writing, use the spelling 'all right' rather than 'alright'."

Always take dictionary advice very carefully. Remember, the person or persons compiling that dictionary might be very knowledgeable but their opinions on English usage are really no less subjective than your own.

This much is clear - OED or any other dictionary notwithstanding - "alright" is a widespread, and accepted spelling.
Anarchist   Thu Mar 16, 2006 7:58 am GMT
C61's subjective opinion, and embracing of our aims have been noted. His next mission is to destabilise l'Academie Francaise from within.
j   Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:49 am GMT
C6151EB is right - you can't trust one hundred percent in any dictionary, always double check other sources. Here you are: Webster online:
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/alright
Guest   Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:55 am GMT
Webster is an American dictionary.
j   Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:08 am GMT
"Webster is an American dictionary."
So what?
How about Cambridge?
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=2333&dict=CALD
Guest   Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:28 am GMT
Cambridge is a British dictionary. He expects nothing less than a dictionary from Hong Kong or Middle Earth.