1. Basic Meaning of “Already”
Already is an adverb. It means:
- Before now
- Earlier than expected
- By this time
It shows that something happened sooner than we thought, or that it is finished.
Example:
- I have already finished my homework.
(I finished it before now.)
2. Already with the Present Perfect
The most common use of already is with the present perfect tense.
Structure:
Subject + have/has + already + past participle
Examples:
- She has already eaten lunch.
- They have already left.
- We have already seen that movie.
This means the action happened before now, and it is connected to the present.
Compare:
- I finished my homework. (Past simple — time is finished.)
- I have already finished my homework. (Present perfect — result matters now.)
Notice the position:
already usually comes after have/has and before the past participle.
Correct:
- I have already done it.
Not common:
- I have done already it. ❌
3. Already with Past Tense
We can also use already with the past simple when we are talking about a finished time in the past.
Examples:
- She already finished her homework when I called.
- They already knew the answer.
- We already ate before the party started.
In American English, this is very common.
In British English, people sometimes prefer present perfect in some situations:
American English:
- I already ate.
British English:
- I’ve already eaten.
Both are correct, but style may differ.
4. Already in Questions
Already can also be used in questions, especially when you are surprised.
Examples:
- Have you finished already?
- Is it 10 o’clock already?
- Did she leave already?
These questions often show surprise that something happened sooner than expected.
Example:
- A: It’s time to go.
- B: Already? We just arrived!
In this case, already is used alone to express surprise.
5. Already in Negative Sentences
Usually, we do not use already in negative sentences.
Instead, we often use yet.
Compare:
Positive:
- I have already finished.
Negative:
- I have not finished yet.
Question:
- Have you finished yet?
However, sometimes already can be used in a negative sentence to show surprise or emphasis:
- She hasn’t already left, has she?
- You’re not already tired, are you?
This is less common and usually expresses surprise.
6. Word Order with Already
The normal position of already is:
a) After auxiliary verbs (have, has, had, will, can, etc.)
- She has already called.
- They will already be there.
- I can already see the problem.
b) Before the main verb (if there is no auxiliary)
- She already knows the answer.
- We already understand.
- I already told you.
So the rule is:
- If there is a helping verb → put already after it.
- If there is no helping verb → put already before the main verb.
7. Already vs. Yet
Students often confuse already and yet.
Already
- Used in positive sentences.
- Means something happened earlier than expected.
Example:
- I have already done my homework.
Yet
- Used in negative sentences and questions.
- Means “until now”.
Examples:
- I haven’t done my homework yet.
- Have you done your homework yet?
Compare:
- She has already arrived. (She arrived earlier than expected.)
- She hasn’t arrived yet. (She has not arrived up to now.)
8. Already vs. Just
Both words are used with present perfect, but they are slightly different.
Just
Means very recently.
- I have just finished. (A few minutes ago.)
Already
Means earlier than expected.
- I have already finished. (Maybe earlier than you thought.)
Example:
- It’s only 5 p.m., and he has already finished work.
(This is earlier than usual.)
9. Already in Real-Life Situations
Here are some common daily examples:
School:
- I’ve already studied for the test.
- She already submitted her report.
Travel:
- The train has already left.
- We already booked the tickets.
Family:
- Mom already made dinner.
- I already cleaned my room.
Surprise:
- You’re 16 already?
- It’s December already?
10. Summary
Already is an adverb that means something happened before now or sooner than expected.
Main points:
- Most common with present perfect:
- I have already finished.
- Can be used with past simple:
- I already finished.
- Often shows surprise in questions:
- Is it late already?
- Usually not used in negative sentences (use yet instead).
- Position:
- After auxiliary verbs.
- Before the main verb if no auxiliary.
1. already の基本的な意味
already は副詞です。意味は：
- すでに
- もう
- 予想より早く
- 今までに
何かが「今より前に起こった」「思っていたより早く起こった」ことを表します。
例：
- I have already finished my homework.
（私はもう宿題を終えました。）
2. 現在完了形と already
already は現在完了形と一緒に使われることが最も多いです。
形：
主語 + have/has + already + 過去分詞
例：
- She has already eaten lunch.
- They have already left.
- We have already seen that movie.
これは「今までにすでに起こったこと」を表します。
比較：
- I finished my homework.（過去形）
- I have already finished my homework.（現在完了形：今に関係がある）
位置に注意：
already は普通、have/has の後、過去分詞の前に置きます。
正：
- I have already done it.
3. 過去形と already
already は過去形とも使えます。
例：
- She already finished her homework when I called.
- They already knew the answer.
- We already ate before the party started.
アメリカ英語では特によく使われます。
イギリス英語では現在完了形を好む場合もあります。
アメリカ英語：
- I already ate.
イギリス英語：
- I’ve already eaten.
4. 疑問文での already
already は疑問文でも使われ、驚きを表すことがあります。
例：
- Have you finished already?
- Is it 10 o’clock already?
- Did she leave already?
例：
- A: It’s time to go.
- B: Already?
この場合、「もう？」という驚きを表します。
5. 否定文での already
通常、否定文では already はあまり使いません。
その代わりに yet を使います。
肯定文：
- I have already finished.
否定文：
- I have not finished yet.
疑問文：
- Have you finished yet?
ただし、驚きを表すときに already を否定文で使うこともあります。
- She hasn’t already left, has she?
- You’re not already tired, are you?
6. already の語順
① 助動詞の後
- She has already called.
- They will already be there.
- I can already see the problem.
② 助動詞がない場合は動詞の前
- She already knows the answer.
- We already understand.
- I already told you.
ルール：
- 助動詞がある → その後に already
- 助動詞がない → 一般動詞の前に already
7. already と yet の違い
already
- 肯定文で使う
- 予想より早いことを表す
例：
- I have already done my homework.
yet
- 否定文と疑問文で使う
- 「まだ（今までに）」という意味
例：
- I haven’t done my homework yet.
- Have you done your homework yet?
比較：
- She has already arrived.（もう到着した）
- She hasn’t arrived yet.（まだ到着していない）
8. already と just の違い
just
- たった今
- ごく最近
例：
- I have just finished.
already
- 予想より早く
例：
- He has already finished work.
9. 日常会話での例
学校：
- I’ve already studied for the test.
- She already submitted her report.
旅行：
- The train has already left.
- We already booked the tickets.
家族：
- Mom already made dinner.
- I already cleaned my room.
驚き：
- You’re 16 already?
- It’s December already?
10. まとめ
already は「すでに」「もう」「予想より早く」という意味の副詞です。
ポイント：
- 現在完了形でよく使う
- 過去形でも使える
- 疑問文では驚きを表すことがある
- 否定文では普通 yet を使う
- 語順に注意する
