You use already to show that something has happened, or that something had happened before the moment you are referring to. Speakers of British English use already with a verb in a perfect tense, putting it after 'have', 'has', or 'had', or at the end of a clause. Some speakers of American English use already with the simple past tense of the verb instead of a perfect tense.
They had already voted for him at the first ballot.
The group has already shed 10,000 jobs.
I already told you not to come over.
They've spent nearly a billion dollars on it already.
Synonyms: before now, before, previously, at present More Synonyms of already
2. adverb [ADVERB before verb]
You use already to show that a situation exists at this present moment or that it exists at an earlier time than expected. You use already after the verb 'be' or an auxiliary verb, or before a verb if there is no auxiliary. When you want add emphasis, you can put already at the beginning of a sentence.
The authorities believe those security measures are already paying off.
He was already rich.
He was already late for his appointment.
Get 10% off our already low prices!
Already, he has a luxurious villa in Formello.
already in British English
(ɔːlˈrɛdɪ)
adverb
1.
by or before a stated or implied time
he is already here
2.
at a time earlier than expected
is it ten o'clock already?
already in American English
(ɔlˈrɛdi)
adverb
1.
by or before the given or implied time
2.
even now or even then
already two days late
▶ USAGE: Also used informally after a phr. to express impatience [that's enough already!]
Examples of 'already' in a sentence
already
The hassle factor is already beginning to show.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Similar technology is already used to cancel out engine noise.
The Sun (2016)
Wholesale prices have already nearly doubled in the past year due to supply shortages.
The Sun (2016)
It had already shown itself to be of great political significance.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Similar cards are already used in other countries.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The snow angel video has been viewed over 3million times already.
The Sun (2016)
England's stock was already low after another miserable summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The European working time directive has already dangerously reduced their exposure to patients.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The former PM already gets nearly 3million a year from the public purse.
The Sun (2016)
The church hall that you use should already have a licence of this kind.
Aiken, Nick Working with Teenagers (1994)
The striker must find the net after two defeats already.
The Sun (2008)
You begin the week optimistic that those involved in certain already tense situations will be reasonable.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Relations are already tense between the police and the media.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The industry has already nearly doubled since the credit crunch began five years ago.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She has already lost the use of her arm and it now looks like her legs are going.
The Sun (2012)
Another area of uncertainty is the extent to which these drugs are already being used in the workplace.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He does this by getting run over and then planning to rob the bank he already did time for.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
His priority will be to find a new chief executive for the broadcaster after already shaking up its boardroom.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Two police patrol boats and helicopters had already been scrambled after a warning that the boat was in danger of sinking.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He had already shown that he had no interest in advancing Crookshank.
Simon Ball THE GUARDSMEN (2004)
We've watched it eight times already!
The Sun (2014)
Besides, focusing on challenging situations would only heighten the already tense atmosphere.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
By that time Durham were already on the coach home.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Thousands of forged cards had already been used around the world to obtain 2million before cops swooped.
The Sun (2008)
But its opposition may prove academic - as times are already changing.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This system is already in use in America.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The thrilled duo told how they had been holding their breaths after already being named best presenters 12 times.
The Sun (2014)
Hotels are already nearly fully booked, but shop around and you should be able to find something cheaper than the package below.
The Sun (2014)
The atmosphere in the chamber was already tense as the two sides launched their attacks, but within a few seconds it became explosive.
Malcolm Balen A VERY ENGLISH DECEIT: The Secret History of the South Sea Bubble and the First GreatFinancial Scandal (2002)
He's already shown he loves it Cheltenham.
The Sun (2008)
Already they may show a dash of green, though they will not open until April.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He has already shown that he is less interested in Europe than his predecessors and places more emphasis on the emerging powers in Asia.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
In other languages
already
British English: already /ɔːlˈrɛdɪ/ ADVERB
You use already to show that something has happened before the present time.
She is already here.
American English: already
Arabic: بِالفِعْل
Brazilian Portuguese: já
Chinese: 已经
Croatian: već
Czech: již
Danish: allerede
Dutch: reeds
European Spanish: ya
Finnish: jo
French: déjà
German: schon
Greek: ήδη
Italian: già
Japanese: すでに
Korean: 이미
Norwegian: allerede
Polish: już
European Portuguese: já
Romanian: deja
Russian: уже
Latin American Spanish: ya
Swedish: redan
Thai: แล้ว
Turkish: zaten
Ukrainian: вже
Vietnamese: đã
Chinese translation of 'already'
already
(ɔːlˈrɛdɪ)
adv
已经(經) (yǐjīng)
I have already started making dinner我已经(經)开(開)始做晚餐了 (wǒ yǐjīng kāishǐ zuò wǎncān le)
⇒ They've spent nearly a million dollars on it already.他们在这上面已经花了近百万美金。 (Tāmen zài zhè shàngmian yǐjīng huāle jìn bǎiwàn měijīn.)
⇒ He was already late for his appointment.他约会已经迟到了。 (Tā yuēhuì yǐjīng chídào le.)
is it five o'clock already? (expressing surprise) 已经(經)到5点(點)了吗(嗎)？ (yǐjīng dào wǔ diǎn le ma?)