already gone

USAGE SUMMARY

'already gone' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation which has occurred or progressed beyond a certain point in time or a certain state. For example: "The day was already gone and I hadn't accomplished anything."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was already gone".

The New York Times - Food

Caldwell is already gone.

The New York Times - Sports

I've already gone.

The New Yorker

"She was already gone.

The New York Times

That's already gone.

The New Yorker

"She's already gone.

The New York Times - Health

Paloma's already gone.

The New Yorker

Tell him we've already gone".

The New Yorker

Many have already gone bust.

The Economist

The tiger was already gone.

The New Yorker

Fullbacks are already gone, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "already gone" to indicate that something has happened or someone has left before a specific time or event. For instance, "By the time I arrived, the concert tickets were already gone."

Common error

Avoid using "already gone" when referring to future events. "Already" implies that the action is completed before the reference point. Instead, use "will be gone" to indicate future completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already gone" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, indicating that an action or state has been completed or reached before a specified time. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "already gone" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates completion or departure before a specific time or event. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English, as demonstrated by the numerous examples from reliable sources such as The New York Times and The New Yorker. When using this phrase, ensure that the tense is consistent and that it accurately reflects the intended meaning of completion or absence. Consider using alternative phrases like "long gone" or "vanished" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long gone

Emphasizes a state of being gone for an extended period.

previously departed

Highlights the act of leaving at an earlier time.

left already

Inverts the structure to emphasize the action of leaving.

vanished

Focuses on the sudden and complete disappearance.

disappeared

Stresses the state of no longer being visible or present.

departed

A more formal way of saying someone or something has left.

cleared out

Implies a thorough and often quick removal.

moved on

Suggests a transition to a new state or location.

exited

A more formal term for leaving a place or situation.

now absent

Highlights the current state of being away or missing.

FAQs

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

You can use "already gone" to describe something that has happened before a certain point. For example, "The opportunity was "already gone" when I finally decided to apply."

What are some alternatives to saying "already gone"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "long gone", "previously departed", or simply "vanished".

Is it correct to say "already went" instead of "already gone"?

While "already went" might be used in informal speech, "already gone" is generally more grammatically correct when indicating a state of being away or completed. "Already went" focuses more on the action of leaving.

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

"Already gone" indicates that something happened before a reference point, while "still gone" implies that something or someone has been absent for a continuous duration. For instance, "The meeting had "already gone" when I arrived", versus "He is "still gone" after three days".