that was already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was already" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something happened or was true before a certain point in time. For example: "We had discussed this issue before, but that was already a month ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Heat up chicken that was already prepared.

The New York Times

War has battered an economy that was already limping.

The Economist

It's like relighting a fire that was already out".

The New York Times

Some may have inherited a gene that was already damaged.

The New York Times - Health

We were attacking an Iraq that was already largely disarmed.

The New Yorker

To some extent, that was already starting to happen.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

There are signs that is already happening.

The New York Times - Arts

In many ways, that is already happening.

The New York Times

In fact, that's already happening.

The New York Times - Magazine

To some extent, that is already happening.

The New York Times

With any luck, that is already happening.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was already" to concisely indicate a prior state or action, avoiding unnecessary repetition of details. For example: "The data had been analyzed; that was already done."

Common error

Avoid using "that was already" when the context clearly implies prior occurrence. For example, instead of "The problem was solved, that was already obvious", simply state "The problem was solved."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was already" functions as a clause element, typically serving as a predicative complement that provides additional information about a subject by asserting something that happened before a specific time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and broadly applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

27%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was already" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate that something had previously occurred or been established. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic writing, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain settings. The analysis highlights its common usage across authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Economist. The frequency of this expression is very common, reflecting its broad applicability in English writing. Remember to use it to emphasize prior events clearly and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was previously done

Substitutes "already" with "previously done" for a slightly more explicit meaning.

that had already occurred

Replaces "was" with "had" and uses the more formal "occurred" instead of "already" to increase formality.

that was earlier

Simple shortening omitting 'already' and the intended meaning of already is maintained.

that was earlier established

Replaces "already" with "earlier established" for emphasizing prior establishment.

that was a thing of the past

A more emphatic way of stating something is already over.

that was bygone

Uses "bygone" to indicate something that is in the past and no longer relevant. More formal.

that preceded it

Focuses on the sequential order, with 'preceded' highlighting the prior occurrence.

that was erstwhile

Employs "erstwhile" for a more archaic or literary feel, suggesting a past condition.

that was afore

Uses "afore" for emphasis and to imply prior knowledge.

that was ancient history

Implies that the topic is something from long ago and is no longer important or relevant. More informal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that was already" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "that had already occurred" or "that was previously done".

When is it best to use "that was already" in writing?

Use "that was already" to emphasize that something has been completed or addressed prior to the current situation. It's helpful when clarifying the sequence of events.

What is a less common alternative to "that was already"?

A less common but still valid alternative is "that was erstwhile", which gives a more archaic feel.

Is "that was already" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, consider more formal alternatives like "that was earlier established" or "that had already been completed" for academic contexts.