already done that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already done that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a task or action has been completed prior to the current moment or discussion. Example: "I appreciate your suggestion, but I've already done that last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I've already done that.

The Washington Post

They've already done that.

The New York Times - Style

We've already done that.

The New York Times

President Obama has already done that.

The New York Times

In fact, he had already done that.

The New Yorker

Melissa: She had already done that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Lyle was already doing that.

The New York Times

They already do that.

The Guardian - Tech

At Yanda, they are already doing that.

The New York Times

The banks are already doing that.

The New York Times

Sure, but many manufacturers already do that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already done that" to succinctly indicate a task has been completed, avoiding unnecessary repetition or lengthy explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "already done that" repeatedly in close succession. Vary your language with alternatives like "completed", "addressed", or "taken care of" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already done that" functions as a concise way to indicate the completion of a task or action. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

14%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already done that" is a grammatically sound and very common expression used to indicate that a task or action has been completed. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples across various domains, from news and media to academia, highlighting its versatility. While it's generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid overuse and consider alternatives like "already took care of that" or "that's already been handled" to maintain variety. According to Ludwig's analysis, mastering the appropriate use of this phrase involves understanding its communicative purpose and avoiding common errors like excessive repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already took care of that

Replaces "done" with "took care of", focusing on the action of handling something.

that's already been handled

Uses a passive voice to emphasize that the action is complete.

that has already been completed

More formal phrasing using "completed" instead of "done".

I already addressed that

Specifies that "I" was the one who completed the action, and replaces "done" with "addressed".

we've already seen to that

Uses "seen to" as a more idiomatic replacement for "done".

that's previously been accomplished

Similar to "already been completed" but emphasizes accomplishment.

the matter is already resolved

Focuses on the state of resolution rather than the action itself.

I finished that already

Simplifies the structure by using "finished" and repositioning "already".

that's a closed issue

Implies that the matter is not just done but also not open for further discussion.

been there, done that

An idiomatic expression implying experience and completion of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "already done that" to indicate that a task or action has been completed. For example, "I appreciate your suggestion, but I've "already done that"."

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

You can use alternatives like "already took care of that", "that's already been handled", or "that has already been completed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "already done that" or "already did that"?

"Already done that" is generally more appropriate in contexts where you want to emphasize the completion of an action, while "already did that" is also acceptable but might sound less formal.

What's the difference between "already done that" and "already doing that"?

"Already done that" implies the action is finished, while "already doing that" suggests the action is currently in progress.