Word · CEFR A1 · Frequency #255
already
已经；早已
prior to a specified or implied time
- 1.
Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
在某个指定时间之前；已经
- 2.
prior to a specified or implied time
在指定或暗示的时间之前
- 3.
So soon.
这么快
在某个指定时间之前；已经；在指定或暗示的时间之前；这么快；已经；早已
In use
I have already seen that movie.
By the time we arrived, the store had already closed.
I already told him the plan.
she has already graduated
have/has already + past participle
常用于完成时态，表示动作在说话前已完成。
She has already finished her homework.
她已经完成了作业。
already + present simple (stative verbs)
用于状态动词，强调现状早已存在。
I already know the answer.
我已经知道答案了。
already in questions (surprise/earlier than expected)
疑问句中用 already 表示惊讶或确认某事比预期早发生。
Connections
Collocations
- already have
- 已经拥有
- I already have a car.我已经有一辆车了。
- already done
- 已经完成
- The homework is already done.作业已经做完了。
- already know
- 已经知道
- I already know the answer.我已经知道答案了。
Pop culture & quotes
- I'm already there
- 我早已在那里This line from the song 'I'm Already There' by Lonestar is used to comfort loved ones, expressing emotional presence despite physical distance.这句歌词出自Lonestar的歌曲《I'm Already There》，用于安慰亲人，表达了尽管身处异地但精神上同在的情感。
- I'm already gone
- 我已经走了In the Eagles' classic 'Already Gone,' this line signifies a decisive and regret-free departure from a relationship.在老鹰乐队的经典歌曲《Already Gone》中，这句歌词象征着果断且无憾地离开一段关系。
Learner notes
Memory Tip
联想'all ready'（都准备好了），但already表示'已经'，强调事情已完成或比预期早。
Context & Register
语域：neutral 常见场景：日常对话、新闻报道、正式写作 ‘already’在多种语境中均可使用，通常不带强烈的正式或非正式色彩，因此视为中性。
Pronunciation & Spelling
The words 'ready' and 'steady' rhyme with 'already' (all share the /ˈrɛdi/ ending). 'Teddy' also rhymes (/ˈtɛdi/) despite the spelling difference. Beware 'alright', which starts with 'al-' but has a different ending sound (/raɪt/ vs /rɛdi/).
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 5，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.