Definition

1. Adverb:
   • By or before a specified or implied time; previously: Indicates that an action or event has occurred, often sooner than expected or before another point in time.

Usage

• Position in Sentence: Typically placed between the auxiliary verb and the main verb (e.g., "has already finished") or after the verb "be" (e.g., "is already here"). In questions and negative sentences, it usually comes directly after the subject (e.g., "Have you already eaten?").
• Function: Used to emphasize that something is done, complete, or true at the present moment, often with a sense of surprise or to correct an assumption.

Examples

• With Present Perfect:
  • I have already seen that movie. (The action of seeing is complete now.)
  • Has the meeting already started? (Asking if it has begun by now.)
• With Past Simple (less common, often for emphasis):
  • She already left when I called. (Her departure happened before my call.)
• With Other Tenses:
  • He is already a professional musician. (His status is true now.)
  • By noon, they will already have arrived. (The arrival will be complete before noon.)

Advanced Usage

• "Already" for Emphasis or Impatience: Often used to express that something has happened surprisingly early or to show slight irritation.
  • Is it 5 o'clock already? (Expressing surprise that time has passed so quickly.)
  • Have you finished already? That was fast!
• In Negative Sentences for Correction: Used to contradict a false assumption.
  • "You need to send the email." – "I've already sent it." (Correcting the assumption it hasn't been done.)

Variants and Related Words

• All ready (Adjective phrase): Completely prepared.
  • The team is all ready for the game. (This is different from "The team is already ready," which means they became prepared earlier than expected.)

Synonyms

• By now: At or before the present time.
• Previously: At an earlier time.
• Beforehand: In advance.

Related Phrases

• Already yet (Informal, emphatic): A redundant but sometimes used emphatic form.
  • Are you done already yet? (Non-standard, used for strong emphasis on the completion.)

Notes on Meaning

• Temporal Focus: "Already" primarily refers to time, indicating an action's completion relative to the speaker's current point of reference. It is not used to describe the manner of an action.
• Contrast with "Yet": "Already" is generally used in affirmative statements and questions, while "yet" is used in negative statements and questions when the action is expected but not complete (e.g., "I haven't finished yet." vs. "I have already finished.").

Adverb

1. prior to a specified or implied time
   • she has already graduated