Basic Details
Word: Already
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: Before now or before a particular time; also used to show that something has happened sooner than expected.
Synonyms: by now, by then, previously, before
Antonyms: later, not yet
Sounds like: all ready (completely prepared, or everyone prepared)
How to Spell Already
Syllables: al - read - y
Tricky part: One l, then ready with its ea. Students write allready or drop the a (alredy).
Watch out for: allready, alredy, allredy
Memory tip: Already means by now; all ready means everyone is prepared. If you could say all of us are ready, use two words. Otherwise it is one word with one l.
Usage Examples
Example 1: By the time we reached the cinema, the film had already started.
Example 2: Are you leaving already? You only came ten minutes ago.
Example 3: Dadi had already made chai when we woke up.
Fun Fact
Already began as two words, all ready, meaning fully prepared. Over the centuries the words joined and the meaning slid to by this time.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the correctly spelt compound word:
a) homwork
b) already
c) sunglases
d) birthdey
Show answer
b) already. Homework keeps its e, sunglasses has ss and birthday ends in ay; already is the correct compound.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word already as used in the sentence:
When the firemen arrived, the neighbours had already put out the small kitchen fire.
a) never
b) later
c) by then
d) soon after
Show answer
c) by then. The fire was out by then, before the firemen came.
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
My little sister had alredy eaten half the birthday cake before the guests even arrived at the party.
a) arrived
b) guests
c) alredy
d) birthday
Show answer
c) alredy. Already contains the whole word ready, so the ea must stay.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Choose the right words: The children were ____ for the trip by six o'clock.
a) allready
b) alredy
c) all ready
d) already
Show answer
c) all ready
2. In Are you leaving already?, the word already shows ____.
a) that nobody is leaving
b) a plan for tomorrow
c) anger at being late
d) surprise that it is so soon
Show answer
d) surprise that it is so soon
