I already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I already" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been done or acknowledged prior to the current moment or context. Example: "I already submitted my report before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I already do.

The New York Times - Sports

I already called them".

The New Yorker

I already did it.

Independent

Legend I already got.

Independent

I already posted it".

The New York Times

I already feel different.

The New Yorker

Perhaps I already am.

The New York Times

"I already checked".

The New Yorker

I already saw enough.

The New York Times

I already knew.

The New Yorker

Michelle: I already have.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I already" to clearly and concisely indicate that an action has been completed or a state has been achieved before the present moment. This avoids ambiguity and streamlines your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I already" when referring to future actions. "I already will..." is incorrect. Use "I will already have..." for future perfect tense or rephrase to avoid the confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I already" typically functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, indicating that an action has been completed before the current time or context. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness and frequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I already" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that an action has been completed or a condition has been met prior to the current moment. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and frequently used, especially in News & Media. When writing, it's crucial to ensure that the tense aligns correctly (avoiding future actions), and while various alternatives exist (such as "I have already" or "I previously"), the straightforwardness of "I already" makes it a versatile and efficient choice for many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have already

Formal variation using the full "have" instead of the contraction.

I've already

Contracted form, slightly more concise than "I have already".

I had already

Used for past perfect tense, emphasizing completion before another past event.

I previously

Emphasizes that something happened at an earlier time.

I'd already

Implies something was completed before another past event.

I did it already

More emphatic, directly stating the action was performed.

I'm already

Indicates a present state or action that is ongoing or achieved.

I have done it

Focuses on the completed action, without specifying a time.

I've taken care of it

More concise way to indicate something is completed or handled.

I was ahead of it

Implies being proactive and completing something before it was expected.

FAQs

What does "I already" mean?

The phrase "I already" means that you have previously completed an action or reached a particular state before the current moment.

How can I use "I already" in a sentence?

You can use "I already" to indicate that an action is complete. For instance, "I already finished my homework" or "I already know the answer".

What can I say instead of "I already"?

You can use alternatives like "I have already", "I previously", or "I have done it" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I already" or "I have already"?

"I already" is more conversational and common in everyday speech, while "I have already" is more formal. Both are grammatically correct.