already

already — adverb

1. used when something has happened or become true by the time you mean.

1.副詞A2
釋義

used when something has happened or become true by the time you mean.

例句

By eight o'clock, Mina had already packed both suitcases.

had already + past participle

The cafe was already full when we reached the station.

be already + adjective

同義詞
  • previously

    more formal and common in writing

  • before

    broader and often needs another time phrase or clause

  • by then

    points to a specific later time in a story

  • earlier

    compares one time with another rather than marking completion

反義詞
  • not yet

    shows that something has still not happened by that time

  • later

    places the event after the time being discussed

文法句型

already + main verb

be already + adjective or noun

had already + past participle

用法筆記

Usually comes before the main verb, but after 'be': 'I already know' and 'The room is already full.' Distinguish from sense 2 SO SOON, which adds surprise rather than simple timing.

常見錯誤

❌I have already finished it yesterday.
✅I finished it yesterday.' / 'I have already finished it.
💡with 'yesterday', use the past simple, not the present perfect.
❌I already am tired.
✅I am already tired.
💡with the verb 'be', 'already' usually comes after the verb.

2. used when something happens so early that the speaker reacts with surprise, plea

2.副詞B1
釋義

used when something happens so early that the speaker reacts with surprise, pleasure, or annoyance.

例句

You're leaving already? The movie started only twenty minutes ago.

already? for surprise about early timing

Lena finished her science project already, and school starts tomorrow.

同義詞
  • so soon

    a direct alternative that also shows surprise

  • this soon

    often used in questions about unexpectedly early timing

  • that fast

    more spoken and focuses slightly more on speed

文法句型

verb + already?

be + adjective + already?

already, with surprised tone

用法筆記

Common in questions and comments where the speaker stresses 'already'. Distinguish from sense 1 BY THEN, which only states that something was true before a time point.

常見錯誤

❌The train leaves already at nine every day.
✅The train leaves at nine every day.' / 'The train leaves as early as nine.
💡this sense is for a surprising early event, not a regular timetable.

already — idiom