to already be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to already be" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that something exists or is true at a point in time that is earlier than expected. Example: "She seemed to already be aware of the situation." Alternative expressions include "to have already" and "to be already."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This seems to already be happening to Ms. Winter.

The New York Times

Their self-stigma is likely to already be high.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many employers prefer — or even require — job applicants to already be employed.

The New York Times

True – and you need to already be pretty proficient to keep pace with many masters groups.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The UK appears to already be in recession, but the Labour party has nothing to say.

The Guardian - Opinion

And for two teams that have never met in the regular season, animosity seems to already be running high.

The New York Times

It seems alarming to already be discussing new releases from next year, but you can't fight time.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

This one went from being a good college effort by the Jayhawks to already being over.

The New York Times

The path to most commands should already be set up.

WikiHow

Startin' to squirm already, aren't ya.

Huffington Post

They confirmed to have already been aware of his viewpoints.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to already be" when you want to emphasize that something is happening or existing sooner than expected. This can add a sense of surprise or urgency to your writing.

Common error

While acceptable in most contexts, avoid overusing "to already be" in extremely formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language if possible. For example, instead of "The results seem to already be showing", consider "The results are becoming evident sooner than anticipated."

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to already be" typically functions as part of a verb phrase, expressing that something is happening or existing sooner than expected. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples demonstrating its application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

27%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to already be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase that indicates something is happening or existing sooner than anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and provides many examples. Its versatility allows it to fit into news, scientific, and general contexts, though it's essential to use it judiciously in highly formal writing. Alternatives like "to have already been" offer similar meanings with slight shifts in emphasis. By understanding its function and usage, you can effectively incorporate "to already be" into your writing to convey a sense of earliness and often surprise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have already been

Focuses on the completed aspect of the action or state before the expected time.

to be there already

Simple way to say to already be there without saying the verb

to be existing prior

Stresses the existence of something before the current time.

to be previously

Emphasizes the state of being prior to a certain point.

to be beforehand

Highlights that something is in place or prepared in advance.

to have occurred before

Focuses on the occurrence of an event prior to another.

to have been earlier

Indicates that an action or state occurred at an earlier time.

to be present earlier

Highlights the presence of something in the past.

to have preceded

Refers to something that has come before in sequence or time.

to be available beforehand

Highlights the availability of something in advance or before a need arises.

FAQs

How can I use "to already be" in a sentence?

The phrase "to already be" indicates that something is happening or existing sooner than expected. For example, "The project seems "to already be" progressing well ahead of schedule."

What are some alternatives to "to already be"?

You can use alternatives such as "to have already been", "to be previously", or "to be existing prior" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "to already being" instead of "to already be"?

No, "to already being" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""to already be"" because "to" is followed by the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "to already be" and "to be already"?

"To already be" emphasizes the unexpected earliness of something, while "to be already" is less common and might sound slightly awkward or archaic in modern English. It's generally better to use ""to already be"" for clarity and naturalness.