redan
Already
Compare Jag har redan ätit and Har du redan ätit? Redan can also focus a time phrase: redan i morgon means ‘as early as tomorrow’.
How It Works
The Swedish word redan translates to already in English. It's used to indicate that an action or state has occurred, often earlier than expected.
The most important rule for beginners is its placement in the sentence. In a subject-first main clause, redan commonly follows the finite verb. The verb-second rule determines the position of that verb; it does not require redan to stand immediately beside it.
Sentence Structure:
Subject + Verb + redan + ...
- Jag har redan ätit. (I have already eaten.)
- Hon kan redan svenska. (She already knows Swedish.)
With inversion, the subject normally intervenes: Har du redan ätit? In a subordinate clause, compare att du redan har ätit. Placement can also highlight a particular expression: redan i morgon means “as early as tomorrow.” Final redan is possible too: Jag har ätit redan.
Examples (5)
- Jag har redan ätit frukost.
I have already eaten breakfast.
Word by Word: I have already eaten breakfast.
- Klockan är redan tio.
It's already ten o'clock.
Word by Word: The clock is already ten.
- Kan du redan prata svenska?
Can you already speak Swedish?
Word by Word: Can you already speak Swedish?
- Filmen har redan börjat.
The movie has already started.
Word by Word: The movie has already begun.
- Vi är redan framme.
We are already there.
Word by Word: We are already arrived.
Common Mistakes
Putting redan before the finite verb in a neutral subject-first main clause.
Jag redan har ätit.Jag har redan ätit.In this ordinary statement, har occupies the second clause position. Final redan is also possible; Jag har ätit redan is not a grammatical error.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'redan' (already) correctly, you need to understand where adverbs fit into a Swedish sentence and have a basic grasp of verb usage and temporal concepts.
- Basic verb conjugation
Temporal adverbs are typically used alongside conjugated verbs to describe the timing of an action.
Foundations - nu/dåNow/then
Understanding basic temporal markers like 'now' and 'then' provides the necessary conceptual foundation for more specific temporal adverbs like 'already'.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- fortfarandeStill
Redan marks an already reached state; fortfarande marks continuation. They are contrasting perspectives, not simple logical opposites.
Level 2 - Verb-second rule
V2 places the finite verb after the first clause constituent. With inversion, the subject normally precedes redan: Nu har hon redan gått.
Level 3 - inteNot
Both can occupy the middle adverb position, but their meaning and scope differ. Compare att hon redan har gått and att hon inte har gått.
Level 1 - har + SupinePerfect Tense
'Redan' is very commonly used with the perfect tense to emphasize that an action has already been completed.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice redan in Bubblegum
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