already, adverb
- Origin:
- English, AfrikaansShow more English, influenced by Afrikaans al already, yet, before, now.
Used redundantly, or in deviant word or time sequence, for emphasis, or in order to indicate or reinforce the perfective.
1891 J.P. Legg in Cape Illust. Mag. I. 95‘Already’ is used much oftener than Englishmen would use it, and frequently tacked on to a sentence needlessly; for instance, an Englishman would say ‘I have done it;’ an Africander, ‘I have done it already.’
1991 S. Afr. Panorama May–June 30The water is already 45 m deep a mere 800 m offshore, making it the ideal habitat for game fish.
Used redundantly, or in deviant word or time sequence, for emphasis, or in order to indicate or reinforce the perfective.
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