already
adverb
UK/ɔːlˈredi/US/ɔlˈrɛdi/
before now or earlier than expected
Example Sentences
I have already finished my homework.
It's already 10 p.m. and I haven’t eaten dinner.
They’ve already started the meeting, so we need to hurry.
We’ve already seen that movie twice this month.
He already suspects that something unusual is happening.
Although the party was supposed to start at six, many guests had already arrived by five thirty.
I glanced at the clock and realized it was already lunchtime, even though I felt like I had just started working.
By the time I got back from my holiday, the garden was already overgrown with weeds, so I had plenty of yard work to do.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Indicates completion or occurrence prior to now.This word is typically used to show that a situation, action, or event has taken place sooner than expected or prior to a given point in time. In sentences, it emphasizes that something is finished or true before it might normally be anticipated. For instance, you might say, “I have already eaten breakfast,” to highlight that the action occurred before another reference point, like lunchtime or someone else’s meal. It often appears between the subject and the main verb (e.g., “I already know”) or after auxiliary verbs (e.g., “She has already left”). When you place it in your statements, it can convey surprise, relief, or simple clarity about the timing. Whether you’re writing formally or chatting with friends, incorporating this term helps specify that an event has taken place or a state exists in advance, strengthening the temporal or logical relationship within the sentence.
Alternatives
If you want to express a similar idea without repeating this particular term, you can consider alternatives like “previously,” “earlier,” or “by now.” These can work well in contexts that emphasize an event that happened or was completed before another point in time. “Previously” often suits formal writing or reports, especially when referring to a documented past occurrence. “Earlier” offers a more direct sense of time, suitable for casual and professional contexts. “By now” fits best when highlighting that a condition or event should have transpired at or before the present moment. Experimenting with these alternatives can help you fine-tune the tone and clarity of your statements, ensuring that your audience precisely understands the temporal relationships. Choose words that best match the style of your message, whether that’s straightforward and friendly or formal and scholarly.
Writing
When including this term in your writing, clarity about timing is key. Think about whether you want to emphasize the order of events, create anticipation, or reveal that something has taken place in advance. Positioning this word naturally within your sentence—often between the subject and the auxiliary verb—can subtly influence how the reader perceives the event’s immediacy or unexpected nature. For instance, “She had already finished the task” underscores that the completion preceded the reader’s expectation or another event. You can also use this term to streamline narrative transitions, showing continuity or progression without lengthy explanations. By drawing attention to actions completed ahead of time, you guide your audience through your text’s timeline more efficiently. In short, handle it thoughtfully to enhance your writing’s structure and pacing, ensuring your message is both clear and compelling.
Casual Conversation
In day-to-day conversations, using this adverb helps you communicate that something has happened sooner than expected or well ahead of schedule. For example, saying “I’ve already seen that movie” quickly lets your friend know you don’t need a recommendation. It’s a neat way to clarify timing without extra words, and it can also express surprise when something occurs quickly—like, “You’re already done?” Placing it naturally in your sentences makes your spoken communication sound fluid and confident. Just remember not to overuse it. Sometimes, a simple “I did it” or “It’s done” works just as well, especially when timing isn’t the main point. Ultimately, by sprinkling it in your everyday chatter, you add a subtle note of clarity that helps others understand what’s taken place or what you’ve accomplished before the present moment.
Etymology
This term traces back to Middle English, evolving from “al redy,” literally meaning “completely prepared” or “all ready.” Over time, its usage shifted from emphasizing readiness to indicating an action completed in advance of a certain point. This transformation highlights how languages adapt, with phrases morphing into adverbs that capture more nuanced meanings of time. Historically, the notion of being prepared and the concept of completing something sooner than expected are closely intertwined—if you’re ready before everyone else, you’ve effectively beaten a schedule or anticipated a need. Today, it commonly underscores that something has occurred ahead of the moment in question. This evolution serves as a testament to how language bends and reshapes over centuries, with everyday words acquiring specialized nuances that enrich communication.