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Interventizio Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary

Position of already

By watching some movies, I'm under the impression the position of "already" in sentences makes a substantial difference.
1) Is it already time? (meaning: I can't believe a whole year has passed!)
2) Is it time already?! (meaning: It's about time! Why did it take you so long?)

Can you confirm such a difference?
  

Top answer

Interventizio 1) Is it already time? ) Meaning to do something. Interventizio 2) Is it time already?!

— Anonymous

  • Interventizio 1) Is it already time?
  • ) Meaning to do something.
  • Interventizio 2) Is it time already?!
  • This position of "already" is a feature of American English in particular.
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6 Answers
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Interventizio1) Is it already time? (meaning: I can't believe a whole year has passed!)
Meaning to do something.
Interventizio2) Is it time already?!
This position of "already" is a feature of American English in particular.
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AnonymousThis position of "already" is a feature of American English in particular.
Ok thank you. So I assume the position makes no difference.
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Interventiziothe position of "already" in sentences makes a substantial difference.
Not to me. I don't see either of them being correctly paraphrased by "Why did it take you so long?" unless maybe it is said sarcastically.

CJ
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Maybe only in imperatives: "Come here already!" or "Finish your homework already!"
I noticed this use in movies I watched.
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InterventizioMaybe only in imperatives: "Come here already!" or "Finish your homework already!" I noticed this use in movies I watched.
Ah. That's a borrowing from Yiddish as it used to be spoken in the immigrant Jewish community in New York. For some reason, we Americans liked that usage and picked it up and incorporated it into American English. It's not
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CalifJimAh. That's a borrowing from Yiddish as it used to be spoken in the immigrant Jewish community in New York. For some reason, we Americans liked that usage and picked it up and incorporated it into American English. It's not used in all regions of the country, but it is fairly well-known by all.
I didn't know that, that's very interesting! Thank you.
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