already

Showing That an Action Is Done

Level 2

Sentence-final already can mark a completed or realized event: I send the message already. It is not limited to the shared English meaning sooner than expected.

How It Works

Already after an event clause can show that the event has happened. I send the message already reports a realized sending. The word does more than say that the event happened earlier than someone expected.

The clause may have a bare or past-marked verb; already is not a command to remove an ending. An event can also be complete with a relevant full English perfect form. Distinguish this event reading from a changed state such as cold already. In questions, You eat already? commonly checks whether the relevant meal has happened, not whether someone has ever eaten in their life.

Examples (4)

  1. I send the message already.

    I have sent the message.

  2. She paid already.

    She has paid.

  3. We eat lunch already.

    We have eaten lunch.

  4. You lock the door already?

    Have you locked the door?

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

alreadyLevel 2Showing That an Action Is Done

Learn This First

Recognize an event and its reference time before marking it as realized or completed.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.