already done before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already done before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been completed at an earlier time or previously. Example: "The task was already done before the deadline, so we had extra time to review the work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"I know as a teacher I'm only teaching him things he's already done before.

The New York Times - Sports

But you want me to do what I've already done before and I am refusing.

Independent

But he said that Obama has not threatened anything he had not already done before.

The Guardian

But it is certain that by playing it safe — turning away from a fresh, ambitious setting like London or Hong Kong in favor of a city they've already done before — Rockstar will be giving up a certain amount of buzz and excitement among gamers worldwide.

The New York Times

Closing down and then reopening, which the production has already done before at the Y.M.C.A., would cost tens of thousands of dollars; New World Stages, which has become home to musicals that moved straight from Broadway, like "Million Dollar Quartet" and "Avenue Q," allows for an open-ended run.

The New York Times

"We'll think of an idea but now we have 19 episodes filled with some version of that idea that we may be recycling or we might not be recycling, so there's all the constraints of what we've already done before on top of all these new ideas".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Barnaby Joyce said they might build 100 which just made him look sillier than he already did before, but in fact Pentland is the only dam that is there to be built".

The Guardian

Thus I see communication with a broad meaning and I expect that the communication on prognosis and diagnosis has been already done [before entering the hospice] so in this care phase when I talk about communication I mean another kind of communication that refers to the patient globally, you know, to his emotions, mood, all these aspects you know.

Aging and Mental Health

One has to seek, always, and not do something that has already been done before".

The Guardian - Music

There's this constant feedback loop so we continue to do everything that's already been done before".

The Guardian

We're doing something that's already been done before.'" Also reinforcing, "We're not trying to break new ground in music.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already done before" to clearly communicate that an action has been completed and to avoid redundant work.

Common error

Avoid using "already done before" when "already done" suffices. The "before" can be redundant unless you need to emphasize the sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already done before" functions as an adjectival modifier, indicating that something has been completed at a prior time. It is used to provide additional information about an action or task, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Wiki

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already done before" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies the completion of an action at a prior time. According to Ludwig, the phrase functions as an adjectival modifier and has a neutral tone, suitable for various contexts. While examples are somewhat uncommon, it is widely accepted and understood. Be mindful of potential redundancy and ensure its usage clearly highlights the temporal sequence of events. Similar expressions, such as "previously accomplished" or "already completed", can be used as alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already completed

Focuses on the state of being finished.

previously accomplished

Emphasizes completion at an earlier time.

done beforehand

Highlights that something was completed in advance.

carried out before

Focuses on the process of performing an action at an earlier time.

previously executed

Implies a formal or planned action.

achieved before

Highlights the attainment of a goal in the past.

undertaken previously

Similar to 'previously executed', but slightly more formal.

realized earlier

Emphasizes the point in time when something came to fruition.

already in the past

Shifts the focus to the time frame of the action.

finalized prior

Stresses the state of being completely finished before something else.

FAQs

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

You can use "already done before" to indicate that a task or action was completed at an earlier time. For example, "The experiment had "already been done before", so there was no need to repeat it."

What's the difference between "already done before" and "previously completed"?

"Already done before" emphasizes the time sequence, while "previously completed" focuses on the state of being finished. Both are similar, but "already done before" highlights that it happened in advance of something else.

Which is correct, "already done before" or "already been done before"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""already been done before"" is slightly more formal and often preferred in academic or professional contexts. "Already done before" is more conversational.

What can I say instead of "already done before"?

You can use alternatives like "previously accomplished", "already completed", or "done beforehand" depending on the specific context.