be already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be already" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in most contexts.
It can be used in informal speech or writing, but it is generally better to use more conventional phrases. Example: "You should be already aware of the changes we made."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The flight may be already en route".

The New York Times

It would be already dark, and I would just serve.

The New York Times

With smartphones you may be already paying for cover.

Independent

This stage looks remarkably familiar; we may be already there.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of that help appears to be already taking shape.

The New York Times

Schools will be already ready to teach these exams.

The Guardian

Indeed the transformation may be already under way.

The Guardian

Certainly Paul seems to be already leaving the limelight.

The Guardian

And with the large-scale disappearances and numerous sightings of mass graves, they might be already.

The New Yorker

In that sense, the country's financial power may be already fading.

The New York Times

Vast portions are likely to be already gone before the rest of the project is finished.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternative constructions like "already have" or "is already" for improved clarity and grammatical flow in formal writing. For example, instead of "The document be already signed", use "The document has already been signed".

Common error

Avoid using "be already" in formal contexts. It can sound unnatural and less professional. Opt for more standard alternatives to enhance the readability and impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be already" functions as an auxiliary phrase combined with a verb to indicate that an action or state has occurred before a specific time. However, Ludwig indicates that it is often considered grammatically awkward.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be already" is used to indicate that something has occurred before a specific time. However, Ludwig indicates that this phrase can be considered grammatically awkward. It's found in News & Media and Science, but less so in formal contexts. As such, consider using alternatives such as "has already", "is already", or "will already be" for enhanced clarity and grammatical correctness. When in doubt, choose the clearer alternative to avoid ambiguity and improve the overall quality of your writing. It could be considered acceptable in some contexts, but it's generally better to use more conventional phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

already be

Reverses the order of the words, potentially affecting emphasis but maintaining the core meaning.

is already

Indicates that something is currently in a state of completion.

have already been

Uses the present perfect construction to emphasize the completion of the action.

must already be

Indicates a high degree of certainty that something is in a state of completion.

may already be

Expresses a possibility that something is in a state of completion.

might already be

Similar to "may already be" but implies slightly less probability.

should already be

Suggests an expectation that something is in a state of completion.

will already be

Shifts the time frame to the future, indicating something will be completed by a certain point.

to already be

This version is ungrammatical unless nested inside another construction and it's rarely used.

being already

This version is rarely used.

FAQs

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

While "be already" can be used, it's often better to use alternatives like "has already been" or "is already" for clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, instead of "The task be already completed", say "The task has already been completed".

What can I say instead of "be already"?

Better alternatives include "has already", "is already", or "will already be", depending on the context. These options provide better grammatical flow and clarity.

Which is correct, "be already" or "is already"?

"Is already" is generally considered more grammatically correct and preferred in most contexts. "Be already" may sound awkward or incorrect in standard written English.

What's the difference between "be already" and "have already been"?

"Have already been" uses the present perfect tense to emphasize that something has been completed by a certain point, while "be already" is generally discouraged to use in favor of more natural alternatives. For example, "The report has already been submitted" emphasizes the completion of the submission process.