they are already

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are already" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that something has already been done. For example: "They are already finished with their project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are already overdue.

The New York Times

They are already here.

The New York Times

They are already radicalized.

The New York Times

They are already home.

The New Yorker

They are already there.

The New York Times

They are already stationed there".

The New York Times

Apparently, they are already buying.

The New York Times - Sports

And they are already here".

The New Yorker

They are already overwhelmed".

The New York Times

They are already international.

The Guardian

They are already multimillionaires.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are already" to succinctly convey that a state or action is in effect before a specific consideration or request. It avoids redundancy and emphasizes efficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "they are already" when a simpler statement suffices. For example, instead of "They are already here, so we can start", you can say "Since they are here, we can start".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are already" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause. It indicates that an action or state has commenced or is in effect prior to the point of reference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are already" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that something has been initiated or completed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for written English. Its high frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its common usage. Remember to use it to succinctly convey that an action or state is in effect, and avoid overuse in simpler statements. Considering related phrases like "they have begun" or "they've already started" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have begun

Focuses on the initiation of an action rather than its current state.

they've already started

Emphasizes the commencement of an activity.

they're in progress

Highlights the ongoing nature of an action.

they have been doing it

Focuses on the continuation of an action.

they are in the middle of it

Emphasizes the middle stage of an action.

they are presently

Highlights the current existence or status.

they are now

Indicates something is happening in the present moment.

they previously

Highlights something that occurred at an earlier time.

they exist now

Highlights the existence of something in the present.

they're on it

Implies immediate action or attention.

FAQs

How can I use "they are already" in a sentence?

Use "they are already" to indicate that something is currently happening or that a state exists before another action. For instance, "They are already working on the project, so we don't need to remind them".

What's a good alternative to "they are already"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "they have begun", "they've already started", or "they are in progress".

Is it correct to say "they already are" instead of "they are already"?

While "they already are" isn't grammatically incorrect, "they are already" is more common and flows better in most contexts. The word order in "they are already" is generally preferred in standard English.

What's the difference between "they are already" and "they will be"?

"They are already" implies something is currently true or in progress. "They will be" indicates something that will happen in the future. For example, "They are already here" means they have arrived, while "They will be here soon" means they haven't arrived yet.