already
UK [ɔ:l'red.i] US [ɑ:l-/ UK ['---] adverb
ESSENTIAL
■before the present time 已经，早已•I asked him to come to the exhibition but he'd already seen it.我请他去看展览，可他早就看过了。 •The concert had already begun by the time we arrived.我们到时，音乐会已经开始了。 •I've already told him.我已经告诉他了。 •As I have already mentioned, I doubt that we will able to raise all the money we need.正如我早就说过的，我怀疑我们是否能够筹集到足够的资金。 ESSENTIAL
■earlier than the time expected 比预期早•Are you buying Christmas cards already? It's only September!你现在就买圣诞卡？现在才九月啊！ •I've only eaten one course and I'm already full.我才吃了一道菜，就已经吃饱了。
UK [ɔ:l'red.i] US [ɑ:l-/ UK ['---] adverb
Common Learner Errors alreadyWarning: check your word order!Already usually goes directly before the main verb in a sentence.
✗ We have already enough supermarkets in this town.We already have enough supermarkets in this town.But if the main verb is am/is/are/was or were , already usually goes directly after it:There are already enough supermarkets here. |