this was already

USAGE SUMMARY

"this was already" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to emphasize that something happened in the past, such as "This was already done when I arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This was already a good sign.

The New York Times - Arts

"I knew then that this was already better than fiction".

The Guardian - Books

This was already a step into shaky territory.

The Guardian - Music

"This was already a familiar term to the public".

The New Yorker

But this was already a pretty extraordinary experience.

The New York Times - Arts

This was already a familiar refrain in Song's lifetime.

The Economist

Perhaps you imagined that this was already against the law.

The New York Times

This was already fully the case in the 13th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lehmann is supposed to be the archetypal Australian man but this was already denting that theory.

The Guardian - Sport

They had a start date of November 1971, and this was already the summer of '71.

The New York Times

But this was already a flawed criterion because it presupposes that "major" writers exist.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was already" to clearly indicate that a particular state, action, or condition existed or was completed before a specific time or event you are referencing. This helps establish a timeline and avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "this was already" when the context already implies that something happened previously. Redundancy can weaken your writing and make it sound less concise. For example, instead of saying "The problem was already solved before, this was already known", say "The problem was already solved beforehand; this was known."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was already" functions as an adverbial phrase indicating the timing or the state of an action or situation in the past. It modifies a verb or clause by specifying that something had occurred or was in effect before a certain point. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this was already" serves to highlight that a state, action, or piece of information existed or was completed prior to a certain point. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness, and Ludwig examples reveal its prevalent use in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific literature. While its usage is generally neutral, mindful application is key to prevent redundancy and ensure clarity in writing. Understanding its function helps writers craft more precise and contextually rich sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this had happened before

Emphasizes the prior occurrence of an event; replaces the continuous tense with the perfect tense.

this was previously the case

Uses "previously the case" to highlight that something was true earlier.

this was in effect already

Highlights that something was active or operational prior to the current time.

it was already in place

Focuses on the prior existence or implementation of something.

this was antecedently true

Replaces "already" with "antecedently" to specify that something was true from an earlier time.

this had been done before

Focuses on the completion of an action in the past; uses the past perfect passive voice.

it was previously established

Emphasizes that something was proven or confirmed at an earlier time.

that was already known

Highlights prior knowledge or awareness of something.

this was erstwhile

Substitutes "already" with the archaic term "erstwhile" indicating a past state.

this preexisted

Uses "preexisted" to focus on the prior existence of something before a specific point in time.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "this was previously the case" or "it was previously established", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "this was already" and "this is already"?

"This was already" refers to something that happened or was true in the past, while "this is already" refers to something that is currently true or has happened up to the present moment. The key difference is the tense: past versus present.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "this was already"?

Use "this was already" when you want to emphasize that a situation, action, or piece of information was known or completed at an earlier time, often to provide context or explain a current situation. For example, "The budget had been approved; this was already underway when the new CEO arrived."

Is it redundant to say "this was already done"?

While it's not inherently wrong, sometimes "this was already done" can be redundant if the context makes it clear the action is complete. Consider simplifying to "this had been done" or "this was complete" for conciseness.