already

1. ADV You use already to show that something has happened, or that something had happened before the moment you are referring to. Some speakers use already with the simple past tense of the verb instead of a perfect tense. 已經(jīng)

They had already voted for him at the first ballot. 他們已經(jīng)在第一輪投票中投了他的票。

She says she already told the neighbours not to come over for a couple of days. 她說她已經(jīng)告訴了鄰居們這兩天不要過來。

2. ADV You use already to show that a situation exists at this present moment or that it exists at an earlier time than expected. You use already after the verb "be" or an auxiliary verb, or before a verb if there is no auxiliary. When you want to add emphasis, you can put already at the beginning of a sentence. 早已

The authorities believe those security measures are already paying off. 儅侷相信那些安全措施已經(jīng)在起作用了。

He was already rich. 他早就富了。

Already, she is thinking ahead. 她早就在考慮未來了。