already

This is a common adverb for time. When something is finished before another, expected time, use the adverb “already.” You can also use “already” when something happens much faster that you think is possible.

They have already finished their work.
They’re done already.
We’ve already read that book.

Note: Don’t confuse “already” with “all ready,” which means that something is prepared. We are all ready to go.

already vs. all ready

a. already = before another, expected time

when something happens before some other expected time, use “already.”

Are you finished already? I thought it would take much longer.
The kids have already had breakfast.
By the time they arrived, they movie had already begun.
Before the class ended, some students had already left. This angered the teacher.
Before the store closed, the employees were already beginning to lock the doors.
The people had already been waiting for two hours for their flight to depart when it was announced they would have to wait another hour.

By the time we arrived at the hotel, all of the rooms had already been taken.

b. already = an expression of surprise regarding speed

When you are surprised that something is completed

The baby is already walking.
Alicia just graduated from college and she already has a job lined up.
It’s already time to leave!
I didn’t realize you had already read that book.
Is it already 5:00? Time really flies.
The bus already came and left.
We’re already there! That was fast.

She’s already had two cups of coffee.

She’s already been married twice and she’s only twenty-six years old.

c. Where does "already" go in a sentence?

You can put “already” before the word it modifies, or you can put it at the end of a sentence.

They’re already there.
They’re there already.
We ate already.
We already ate.
It’s already been two hours.
It’s been two hours already.
The company has already spent millions of dollars on research and development.
They company has spent millions of dollars on research and development already.

He has seen this movie already.
He’s already seen this movie.

d. Here are some common examples of ways to use "already."

You have a few different options when placing this adverb in a sentence.

We’re already late. (There’s nothing we can do about being late.)
They already know it. (They learn about something in the past.)
A decision has already been made. (There’s no further discussion needed.)
Most people are already familiar with what he did. (The information has been available long enough for people to know about it.)
These seats are already taken. (People arrived at a place ahead of time and reserved their seats.)
This was already discussed. (We talked about this in the past.)