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Tarkowsky Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
already or yet in questions?
Grammar books usually tell us that in questions we can use already when expressing surprise:
Have you already finished? That was quick.
Are you already here?
Otherwise yet is mandatory.
Have you called the garage yet?
Did you buy the bread yet?
That's it for grammar.
In real life I often hear people making questions using already instead of yet and not only in spoken english but also in newspapers,web sites,weblogs...
Being influenced by this misusage I've found myself using interchangeabley already and yet in questions .Is it a severe mistake?
In my difence below are some leading-astray examples from very distinguished sources.
Do you want to hear another, or have you already had un oeuf?"(NYT JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER)
Have you already gained the knowledge to make the call?(NYT JOHN McCAIN)
Have you already begun your journey to becoming carbon neutral?(Guardian)
Have you already put up a birdbox in your garden?(BBC)
Have you already finished? That was quick.
Are you already here?
Otherwise yet is mandatory.
Have you called the garage yet?
Did you buy the bread yet?
That's it for grammar.
In real life I often hear people making questions using already instead of yet and not only in spoken english but also in newspapers,web sites,weblogs...
Being influenced by this misusage I've found myself using interchangeabley already and yet in questions .Is it a severe mistake?
In my difence below are some leading-astray examples from very distinguished sources.
Do you want to hear another, or have you already had un oeuf?"(NYT JONATHAN SAFRAN FOER)
Have you already gained the knowledge to make the call?(NYT JOHN McCAIN)
Have you already begun your journey to becoming carbon neutral?(Guardian)
Have you already put up a birdbox in your garden?(BBC)
Top answer
Is it a severe mistake? Hi Tarkowsky Each case must be judged individually. I see nothing wrong with your examples - and I never heard already should only be used to express surprise in questions!
- Is it a severe mistake?
- Hi Tarkowsky Each case must be judged individually.
- I see nothing wrong with your examples - and I never heard already should only be used to express surprise in questions!
- CB
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6 Answers
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TarkowskyBeing influenced by this misusage I've found myself using interchangeabley already and yet in questions .Is it a severe mistake?Hi Tarkowsky
Each case must be judged individually. I see nothing wrong with your examples - and I never heard already should only be used to express surprise in questions!
CB
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From BBC learning English site
already - meaning and use
Whereas still and yet normally refer to present and future circumstances, already normally refers to something that is in the present or recent past. It
already - meaning and use
Whereas still and yet normally refer to present and future circumstances, already normally refers to something that is in the present or recent past. It
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Your first source says that already usually expresses surprise; it doesn't say it always expresses surprise. In my opinion, even saying it usually expresses surprise seems to be going too far. I'd say that already sometimes expresses surprise.
Your second source says that already may express surprise; it doesn't say that already
Your second source says that already may express surprise; it doesn't say that already
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Note this example:
Do you want to hear another, or have you already had un oeuf (enough)?
In light of my previous post, note that this is asking something like
Shall we continue forward? Or have we fulfilled expectations?
That is:
Do we still need to fulfill expectations? Or have we fulfilled expectations?
_______
Do you want to hear another, or have you already had un oeuf (enough)?
In light of my previous post, note that this is asking something like
Shall we continue forward? Or have we fulfilled expectations?
That is:
Do we still need to fulfill expectations? Or have we fulfilled expectations?
_______
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Hello!
I have some doubts in relation to this sentença: Have you bought the tickets already? You promised to buy them today. Is it possible to use already in the end of the sentence?
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