is already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is already" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has already occurred. For example: "I went to the store but the item I wanted is already sold out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Heinz is already global.

The Economist

Violence is already rife.

The Economist

He is already nostalgic.

The New York Times

Puff is already taken.

The New York Times - Arts

It is already happening.

The New York Times

That is already happening.

The New York Times

He is already running.

Independent

Caldwell is already gone.

The New York Times - Sports

"Downloading is already illegal.

The New York Times

It is already obsolete.

The Economist

It is already inadequate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is already" to emphasize that an action has been completed or a condition exists before it was expected. This adds a sense of urgency or anticipation to your writing.

Common error

Do not use "is already" when the context clearly implies that something has happened. For instance, avoid saying "it is already finished" if "it is finished" suffices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is already" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It indicates that an action has been completed or a state exists before a certain time or expectation. Ludwig AI provides various examples demonstrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is already" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that an action or state precedes a particular time or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's common across diverse contexts like news, science, and business, adding emphasis to the timing of events. Be mindful of redundancy and use it to convey a sense of urgency or surprise. Alternatives such as "has been" or "by now" can be considered depending on the intended nuance. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively use "is already" to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been

Indicates a completed action or state, similar to "is already", but emphasizes completion.

has happened

Focuses on the occurrence of an event before a specific time or expectation.

is now

Implies a current state resulting from a prior event, similar to "is already", but with more emphasis on the present.

by now

Highlights that something should have happened or be in a certain state at the present time.

as of now

Similar to "is already", but emphasizes the present moment as the point of reference.

by this time

Indicates a point in time before the present, with the action or state completed.

to date

Similar to "is already", but specifically refers to the period up to the present.

at this stage

Highlights that something is currently in a specific condition as a result of an earlier process, resembling to "is already".

as things stand

Emphasizes the present state or condition of something, often implying a contrast with a previous state. This is close to "is already" but focuses more on the current implications.

in effect

Similar to "is already", but emphasizes that a rule, agreement or plan is happening, instead of focusing on a generic action.

FAQs

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

The phrase "is already" indicates that something has occurred before the present moment or an expected time. For example, "The concert "is already sold out"" or "He "is already gone" when I arrived".

What are some alternatives to "is already"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "has been", "has happened", or "by now" as alternatives to "is already".

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

Both "is already done" and "is done" can be correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Is already done" emphasizes that the action was completed earlier than expected, while "is done" simply indicates that the action is complete.

What's the difference between "is already" and "is now"?

"Is already" emphasizes that something happened before a certain time, whereas "is now" emphasizes the current state. For example, "The software "is already installed"" focuses on the prior completion, while "The software "is now available"" highlights the present availability.