already
/ɔːlˈɹɛdi/adverb★Intermediate
general
Before now; by this time; prior to the present moment
She has already finished her homework.
He had already left when I arrived.
💡
Often used to emphasize that something has been completed or occurred earlier than expected.
Collocations
already donecompleted or finishedalready knownpreviously known or established
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
already and allphrase
emphasizes that something has already happened
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Already' is often used in questions and negative sentences to emphasize that something has happened sooner than expected.
⚡Gold Rule
Tense Agreement
'Already' is typically used with the present perfect or past perfect tenses (e.g., 'I have already eaten,' 'She had already left').
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'alreedi,' from Old English 'eallrǣde,' meaning 'altogether, wholly.'
📝Usage Notes
Used to indicate that an action or event has occurred before the present moment. Often used with perfect tenses (e.g., 'has already done').
Word Breakdown
al
all
prefixready
prepared or completed
rootEnglish Dictionary