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Already

Already is an adverb.

Already: meaning​

We use already to emphasise that something was completed before something else happened. It is often used with the present perfect or past perfect:

  • The plane had already landed when the pilot announced that there would be a delay in getting to the gate.

Already is also used to show surprise about things that have happened or will have happened earlier than we expected.

Compare

It’s twelve o’clock.I am not surprised that it’s twelve o’clock.
It’s twelve o’clock already.I’m surprised. I thought it was earlier.

We use it in affirmative sentences and questions but not usually in negatives:

  • There are already about ten people here. (that’s more than were expected at this time)

  • Not: There aren’t already any people here.

  • A: Are you back already? (A is surprised that B has returned so soon.)

  • B: Yeah.

Already: position​

Mid position​

We usually put already in the normal mid position for adverbs (between the subject and the main verb, or after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or after be as a main verb):

  • We already knew that he was coming to visit.
  • His family had already heard the news.
  • Joe’s already here, so we can begin.
warning

We don’t use already between a verb and a direct object:

  • I’ve already made the coffee.
  • Not: I’ve made already the coffee.

End position​

We can use already at the end of a sentence for greater emphasis or to show greater surprise. This is especially common in informal speaking:

  • Gosh, he’s finished painting the kitchen already! (end position is more emphatic)
  • Have you booked a flight already?

Front position​

Less often, we put already in front position (before the subject). This is usually more formal:

  • Already more than fifty thousand tickets have been sold for Saturday’s cup final match.

We don’t often put already in front position in informal speaking.

Already: typical errors​

We don’t use the past simple with already for something which was completed before something else happened. Instead, we use the past perfect.

  • Their wedding in Rome was cancelled but we had already booked our flights and hotel, so we decided to go.
  • Not: … but we already booked our flights and hotel …

You may hear American English speakers using already with the past simple.

We don’t use already between the verb and its object.

  • I’ve already [verb] drunk [object] three coffees today!
  • Not: I’ve drunk already three coffees
See also
  • Already, still or yet?