The TR Company

ALONE, LONELY, LONESOME AND LONE

10/7/19 ALONE, LONELY, LONESOME AND LONE

Alone suggests that a person or thing is separate – there are no others around. Lonely (and informal US lonesome) refers to unhappiness caused by being alone. Compare: I like to be alone for short periods. But after a few days I start getting lonely/lonesome. Alone can be emphasized by all. After his wife died, he was all alone. Alone is not used before a noun. Lone and solitary can be used instead; loneis rather literary. The only green thing was a lone/solitary pine tree.