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Tenacious Learner Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

Please correct or confirm definition on 'Already'

Hi teachers,
Already
It can emphasize actions that have occurred:
1. between an indefinite period of time in the past and now
2. before the expected time, often with surprise.

Examples:
1. Robert has already had breakfast.
2. Robert has already finished his reports.

I have another question, do I really need to write 'often' or it will be better without that frequency adverb?

Thanks in advance.
  

Top answer

Hello TS. The way I understand it, already is used to indicate that an action/event which happened (or started) at some point in the past is/was completed before the time of speaking. Thinking Spain before the expected time, often with surprise.

— Surfer

  • Hello TS.
  • The way I understand it, already is used to indicate that an action/event which happened (or started) at some point in the past is/was completed before the time of speaking.
  • Thinking Spain before the expected time, often with surprise.
  • already may be used to indicate such feel, but I don't believe the word is confined to only such contexts.
  • I don't think point 2 is really part of the definition of the word.
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3 Answers
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Hello TS. Emotion: smile

The way I understand it, already is used to indicate that an action/event which happened (or started) at
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Surferalready may be used to indicate such feel, but I don't believe the word is confined to only such contexts.I don't think point 2 is really part of the definition of the word.
Hello Surfer,
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Hello TS. Emotion: smile
Thinking Spain it's only context/circumstance that introduces the element of surprisedness. Right
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