already departed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already departed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has left or gone away prior to the current moment or context. Example: "By the time we arrived at the station, the train had already departed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Our experimental model suggests that individual decisions to follow those that have departed is not a quorum-like response because the probability monotonically increases with the ratio of already departed and non-departed individuals.

Plosone

Some have already departed.

The New York Times

Many other senior managers had already departed.

The Economist

A good dozen have already departed.

The New York Times

Deep draft vessels have already departed the terminals.

The New York Times

When dawn broke the next day, they had already departed.

The New Yorker

Yet Mirallas did, while Barnes had already departed.

The Guardian - Sport

Ashley Young has already departed and there are strong rumours that his England colleague Stuart Downing won't be far behind.

Independent

Several other top NCA chiefs are also leaving, with the deputy director general, Phil Gormley, having already departed.

The Guardian

Cookie Rojas and Al Jackson had already departed, Rojas to the Toronto Blue Jays and Jackson to semiretirement.

The New York Times - Sports

In some cities, factory work is available; others have urbanised without becoming industrial; and from some industry has already departed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, "already departed" can be effectively used in both formal and informal contexts to convey that an action has been completed before another action starts.

Common error

Avoid using "already departed" when you simply mean something has left without emphasizing that it happened before a specific reference point. Using "departed" alone might be more appropriate if the timing isn't crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already departed" functions as a past perfect construction, indicating an action (departing) that was completed before another point in time. It modifies a noun or pronoun by specifying that the departure occurred prior to the moment being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, as demonstrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "already departed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to indicate that someone or something has left before a specified time or event. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While it functions similarly to "already left", it carries a slightly more formal tone. When writing, consider whether you want to emphasize the action of leaving or simply the state of being gone. The register is typically neutral to formal, making it suitable for news, academic writing, and general communication. Be mindful of the timing implication to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already left

Uses a more common and simpler verb, "left", in place of "departed".

already gone

Emphasizes the state of being away rather than the act of leaving.

previously exited

Replaces "departed" with "exited", suggesting a formal or official departure.

formerly vacated

Indicates that a place or position has been emptied or relinquished.

had already withdrawn

Implies a deliberate and often strategic removal.

by then had left

Alters the sentence structure to emphasize the timing of the departure.

had departed earlier

Specifically highlights that the departure happened at an earlier time.

no longer present

Focuses on the absence of someone or something.

had already taken off

Suggests a rapid or immediate departure, often used for flights or quick exits.

prior to this had gone

Rephrases to emphasize that the action occurred before a specified point.

FAQs

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

You can use "already departed" to indicate that someone or something has left before a specific time or event. For example, "By the time we arrived, the train had "already departed"."

What can I say instead of "already departed"?

You can use alternatives like "already left", "already gone", or "previously exited" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "already departed" or "already left"?

Both "already departed" and "already left" are correct, but "already left" is more commonly used in informal contexts. "Already departed" sounds more formal and emphasizes the action of leaving.

What's the difference between "already departed" and "already gone"?

"Already departed" focuses on the action of leaving, while "already gone" focuses on the state of being away. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the act of departure or the resulting absence.