What is “Already”?
“Already” is an adverb in the English language that denotes that something has happened at an earlier time than expected or before the present moment. The term “already” helps to specify that an action or condition has taken place in the past, emphasizing its completion prior to the point in time being discussed.
It is used to express the occurrence of an event or the completion of an action sooner than anticipated, often conveying a sense of surprise or affirmation of the timing. It can affirm that something is no longer necessary because it has been done. When used in questions or exclamatory sentences, “already” can express surprise at how quickly or soon something has happened.
Examples of “Already”
- “I already know the rules of the game.”
- This statement uses “already” to affirm that the knowledge was acquired before the current moment.
- “She has already finished her assignment.”
- This sentence indicates that the action of finishing the assignment occurred sooner than might have been expected.
- “They had already left when we arrived.”
- In this case, “already” confirms that the departure happened before the speaker’s arrival.
Difference Between “All Ready” and “Already”
The confusion between “all ready” and “already” stems from their similar pronunciation, but they have distinct meanings and uses in the English language.
“All ready” refers to the state of being completely prepared or in readiness for something. “Already” is an adverb that indicates that something has happened earlier than the present time or sooner.