are already reserved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are already reserved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something has been booked or set aside in advance. Example: "The seats for the concert are already reserved, so we will need to find alternative options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Under the constitution a quarter of seats are already reserved for the military.

The New York Times

Two ballrooms on Capitol Hill are already reserved for a pot expo on Feb. 28.

The Washington Post

The ship's top dining rooms are already reserved for guests in the so-called Queens and Princess Grill Suites.

The New York Times - Travel

They won't be able to come to that show cheaply, as tickets are $125 each, most of which are already reserved for high rollers.

The New York Times

(It continues through Sunday; the performances, at 7 and 9 p.m., are free, but all the seats inside are already reserved. There will be a standby list, and street spectators are encouraged).

The New York Times

It's really moot whether the city will be ready for its actual birthday on May 27 because all the hotels are already reserved for high-level official delegations for the anniversary week.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

When we called last winter, the three sites on Murphy's Hogback were already reserved for the night we wanted.

The New York Times - Travel

On the London Underground, half of carriages were already reserved for non-smokers but from 1971, smokers were confined to just two carriages, at the front and back.

Independent

At five o'clock that afternoon, most of the chairs were already reserved, with pieces of paper taped to their backs or weighted down with giant clamshells.

The New Yorker

A large room is already reserved for the makeup exam for Prelim 2, students do not need to email the course staff to let them know.

Cornell University

Curbside space is a "very valuable commodity, and most of it in downtown Manhattan is already reserved for trucks," said David Gurin, a deputy commissioner of the Transportation Department.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are already reserved", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reserved and by whom, avoiding ambiguity. For example, specify "The tickets are already reserved" rather than just "They are already reserved".

Common error

Avoid using "are already reserved" when the reservation is still tentative or unconfirmed. "Already" implies a completed action, so use phrases like "are being reserved" or "are tentatively reserved" if the reservation is not yet final.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are already reserved" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has been acted upon. It specifies that a prior action (reserving) has been completed, influencing the present state. As indicated by Ludwig, it's used to convey that something is no longer available.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are already reserved" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions to convey that something has been previously booked or allocated and is therefore unavailable. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, scientific, and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral tone suitable for a wide variety of situations. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure clarity regarding what is being reserved and to avoid using it when the reservation is only tentative. Consider alternatives like "have already been booked" or "have been designated" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have already been booked

Focuses on the action of booking, implying a formal arrangement.

are previously allocated

Emphasizes the act of assigning something for a specific purpose.

are prearranged

Highlights the planning aspect, suggesting that the reservation was made in advance.

are set aside

Implies that something has been specifically designated and protected for later use.

are spoken for

An informal way of saying that something is no longer available because someone has already claimed it.

are taken

A simple and direct way to indicate that something is not available because it has already been reserved.

are earmarked

Highlights the act of dedicating something (usually money) for a specific purpose.

are secured beforehand

Stresses that something was secured in advance.

are unavailable

A direct statement that something cannot be reserved.

have been designated

Formal term, specifying that something has been officially assigned.

FAQs

How can I use "are already reserved" in a sentence?

You can use "are already reserved" to indicate that items, seats, or resources have been booked or allocated in advance. For example: "The hotel rooms "are already reserved" for the conference attendees."

What's a more formal alternative to "are already reserved"?

For a more formal tone, you could use "have already been allocated", "have been previously designated", or "have been prearranged". These alternatives emphasize the official or planned nature of the reservation.

Which is correct, "are already reserved" or "have already been reserved"?

Both "are already reserved" and "have already been reserved" are grammatically correct. "Are already reserved" is simple present passive and implies a current state, while "have already been reserved" is present perfect passive and emphasizes that the reservation was completed at some point in the past but is still in effect.

What's the difference between "are already reserved" and "are being reserved"?

"Are already reserved" indicates a completed action, meaning the reservation is finalized. "Are being reserved" implies an action in progress, suggesting that the reservation is currently being made or processed.