already taken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already taken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been claimed, occupied, or is no longer available. Example: "I'm sorry, but that seat is already taken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Already taken care of.

The New Yorker

Puff is already taken.

The New York Times - Arts

China has already taken notice.

The New York Times

Those have already taken place.

The New York Times

That title is already taken.

The New York Times - Arts

Some have already taken it.

The Economist

Icon is already taken.

The New York Times - Food

Williamsburg was already taken.

The New York Times - Arts

(Metallica was already taken).

The New York Times

"This revolution has already taken place".

The Guardian - Music

Has an illicit encounter already taken place?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, ensure the context clarifies what is "already taken". Be specific by adding a noun or pronoun after the verb phrase, e.g., 'The tickets are already taken' not just 'already taken.'

Common error

Avoid using "already taken" without specifying what has been taken. For instance, saying 'That's already taken!' is vague. Instead, clarify: 'That seat is already taken' or 'That idea has already been taken'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already taken" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that something has been previously claimed or occupied. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already taken" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something is no longer available because it has been claimed or occupied by someone else. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans from news and media to more formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what exactly is "already taken" to avoid any ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "previously claimed" or "no longer available" for variety. It is important to remember that using the phrase appropriately in written English improves overall clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously claimed

Focuses on the act of claiming something before another party could.

no longer available

Highlights the unavailability of something at the present time.

previously occupied

Emphasizes the state of being occupied before the current moment.

previously secured

Stresses the act of securing something ahead of others.

pre-empted

Implies that action has been taken to prevent someone else from doing something.

reserved

Indicates that something has been set aside for a particular person or purpose.

spoken for

Informal way of saying something has been promised to someone.

bagged

Informal way of saying something has been claimed.

off the market

Something is no longer available for purchase or consideration.

seized

Something has been taken quickly and decisively.

FAQs

How to use "already taken" in a sentence?

Use "already taken" to indicate that something is no longer available or has been claimed by someone else. For example, "I wanted to use that username, but it was already taken."

What can I say instead of "already taken"?

You can use alternatives like "previously claimed", "no longer available", or "previously occupied" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "already taken" or "already been taken"?

"Already taken" is generally preferred for brevity and directness. "Already been taken" is grammatically correct but can sound less concise in many contexts.

When should I use "already taken" versus "reserved"?

Use "already taken" when something has been claimed or used, whereas "reserved" implies something is being held for future use by someone specific. For example, a seat may be "already taken" by someone, but a table at a restaurant is "reserved" for a later time.