have done already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have done already" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action has been completed prior to the present moment, often emphasizing the timing of the completion. Example: "I have done already what you asked me to do yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"But I was saying, 'Guys, look what we have done already.

The New Yorker

But it is unlikely that things will get significantly more difficult than they have done already.

The Guardian

The Democrats may be "incoherent", it says, but they can scarcely do worse than the Republicans have done already.

The Economist

"It's an affirmation of the work we have done already and of the recommendations of the governor's task force".

The New York Times

It is expected that the current land use will diversify, under economic pressures, from predominantly cattle farming as neighbouring valleys have done already.

Landscape and Urban Planning

He wanted to quit, he said, but his father told him, "Look how much we have done already".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Just think what we've done already.

The Guardian

In many respects, what Columbia has done already demonstrates substantial support for undocumented students.

Columbia University

Don't worry – whatever you've done, The Simpsons' quack doctor has done already and worse.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"What they've done already is pretty impressive".

Science Magazine

What we've done already has been a massive achievement and more than I expected, really".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have done already", ensure the context clearly benefits from emphasizing that the action was completed before a specific time or event. This can add a sense of urgency or preparedness.

Common error

Avoid using "have done already" when the simple past tense would suffice. For example, instead of "I have done it already yesterday", simply say "I did it yesterday". The word "already" often implies past completion, making "have done" redundant in certain contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have done already" functions as a present perfect construction with the adverb "already" to indicate that an action was completed at some point in the past before the present moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

26%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have done already" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction in English. As Ludwig AI highlights, it serves to emphasize the completion of an action before a certain time, making it suitable for diverse contexts ranging from news and media to scientific writing. While primarily neutral in tone, it's important to avoid redundancy and consider simpler alternatives like "already done" or the simple past tense where appropriate. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate its consistent usage, reinforcing its acceptability in professional and general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have already done

Inverts the order of "already" and "done", placing emphasis on the completion, which is slightly different from the original.

have completed already

Replaces "done" with "completed", emphasizing the action's finish; subtly changes the tone to slightly more formal.

already finished

Uses "finished" instead of "done", presenting a straightforward and common alternative; removes the "have" auxiliary verb.

have taken care of already

Substitutes "done" with "taken care of", suitable when referring to tasks or responsibilities, adding a dimension of handling or managing something.

have seen to already

Implies that attention or action has been directed to something; offers a more proactive sense of completion.

have addressed already

Emphasizes dealing with an issue or problem; adds a formal tone to the completion.

have accomplished already

Highlights the achievement aspect; suitable for significant tasks or goals.

have finalized already

Implies that the task has been brought to its absolute end; adds a formal nuance.

are already through with

Uses a more conversational phrasing, "through with", instead of "done", modifying the tone to be more relaxed and informal.

have wrapped up already

Conveys a sense of neatly finishing something; adds a casual, informal feel.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have done already" for a more formal tone?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "have already completed" or "have already addressed", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "have done already" and "already done"?

Yes, "have done already" includes the auxiliary verb "have", indicating a completed action, while "already done" is a shorter form that could be used as an adjective phrase or in more informal contexts. The first is grammatically a complete sentence, while the second is not.

When is it appropriate to use "have done already" instead of the simple past tense?

Use "have done already" when you want to emphasize that the action has been completed before a certain point in time or before another action occurs. Otherwise, the simple past tense is often sufficient.

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using "have done already"?

Avoid redundancy by not using "have done already" with specific past time markers like "yesterday". Also, ensure that the context warrants the emphasis on prior completion; otherwise, a simpler tense might be more appropriate.