but already when

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but already when" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something was true or applicable at an earlier time, but it is not commonly used. Example: "I was surprised by the outcome, but already when I saw the initial results, I had my doubts."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"The teachers were always complaining that he was living in his own world, but already when he was a little boy he made very good drawings".

The New York Times

Young IR α-dox S seedlings appear similar to WT plants, but already when transplanted into soil two weeks after germination, they are slightly delayed in development.

BMC Plant Biology

Three early-intervention groups (each n = 7) received selepressin, arginine vasopressin, or norepinephrine at the same initial infusion rates as for the late intervention, but already when mean arterial pressure had decreased by 10% from baseline; doses were then titrated as for the late intervention.

Critical Care Medicine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It was 9 a.m. but already sweltering when Dave Petersen pulled his red pickup truck into S. D. Richman Sons Inc., a scrap-metal yard in Philadelphia's industrial northeast.

The New York Times - Magazine

Many have done so already when installing Wi-Fi.

The New York Times

Oh, I was dancing already when I was three.

Huffington Post

You might lose the one you have already when PK-ing.

WikiHow

More impressively, Weber conjures the exhilaration of pictures like the Clark Art Institute's perennial favorite, William Bouguereau's frolicsome "Nymphs and Satyr," a scandal in 1873 but already considered old-fashioned when Sterling was seduced by it.

The New York Times - Books

I own my flat but I already struggle when anything breaks or needs maintenance.

The Guardian - Money

But that already happened when Dreams of a Life was put on.

The Guardian

But already the celebration was shadowed when the Marseillaise was booed.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider restructuring your sentence for clarity. Replacing "but already when" with phrases like "but even then" or "however, even at that time" can improve readability and grammatical correctness.

Common error

The phrase "but already when" can sound awkward and might confuse readers. Ensure your sentence clearly expresses the intended relationship between the contrasting elements. Instead of saying "but already when", revise to use more direct and grammatically sound alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but already when" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to connect two clauses with a contrast and a temporal element. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this construction is not standard in written English and may cause confusion. While it tries to express a contrast that exists at a certain time, it is not grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "but already when" attempts to express a contrast existing at a certain time, Ludwig AI flags it as non-standard English. Its grammatical ambiguity makes it a less desirable choice in formal writing. Examples demonstrate its occasional use in news and scientific contexts, but more precise alternatives like "but even then" or restructured sentences offer greater clarity. Given its infrequent and potentially confusing usage, carefully consider whether "but already when" effectively conveys your intended meaning or if a clearer alternative would better serve your writing. Therefore the recommendation is to use alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but even then

Emphasizes the contrast with something that was true or happening at that specific time.

but even at that time

Highlights the temporal aspect of the contrast more explicitly.

however, even then

Uses "however" to introduce the contrast, which can be slightly more formal.

yet even then

Employs "yet" to create a sense of surprise or unexpectedness in the contrast.

but by that point

Focuses on a specific juncture in time when the contrast became apparent.

although even then

Substitutes "but" with "although", creating a more concessive tone.

but at that stage

Emphasizes the developmental stage during which the contrast occurred.

though even then

Replaces "but" with "though", resulting in a slightly less formal tone.

but already at the time

Rephrases to emphasize "already" modifying "at the time" for clarity.

however, already at that moment

More formal structure stressing the temporal coincidence using 'however'.

FAQs

Is "but already when" grammatically correct?

The phrase "but already when" isn't considered standard English. While it appears in some contexts, it often leads to awkward sentence structures. Consider using alternatives like "but even then" or restructuring your sentence for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "but already when"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "but even then", "however, even at that time", or "although even then". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I rewrite a sentence using "but already when" to be clearer?

Instead of saying, "The audience was dancing already, but when Mr. Franti and his hypeman, RadioActive, re-emerged, they wanted to make sure", try "The audience was dancing already, but even then Mr. Franti and his hypeman, RadioActive, wanted to ensure everyone was engaged."

Why is "but already when" considered awkward?

The combination of "but", "already", and "when" can create a redundant or unclear relationship between the clauses. Using more precise language can improve the flow and understanding of your sentence.