早已，已经　before now or before a stated or suggested time in the past

　Let us begin now; it is already too late.　现在咱们开始吧，已经很晚了。
　The worst is over already.　最艰难的时候已经过去了。
　This machine is already out of date. It is out of date already.　这台机器已经过时了，它已经过时了。
　I already told you.　我已经告诉你了。
　He already knew what she wanted.　他早已知道她想要什么。
　When I called, Jacelin was already dressed.　当我打电话时，杰斯林已经穿好衣服了。
　He looked for a spectacular end to his already long life.　他的一生已够长的，他想找个引人注目的方式结束它。
　When we arrived, he was already there.　我们到达时，他已经在那里了。
　The reading-room lights were already on.　阅览室的灯早就亮了。
　He was two days late already.　他已迟了两天了。
　They continued working, though it was already near midnight.　虽然时间已近午夜，他们还在继续工作。
　I have already done it.　我已经做完了。
　I have already answered that question.　我已经回答了那个问题。
　I have already got his latest work.　我已经得到了他的近作。
　He has already come back.　他已经回来了。
　It's 5:30 a.m.,but he's already worked.　现在是上午5:30，可是他已经在工作了。
　He had already left when I called.　我打电话去时，他已走了。
　He had already eaten more than he wanted.　他已经吃得太饱了。
　The play had already started when we got to the theatre.　我们到剧院时，戏已经开演了。
　He had shaved already before dinner, but now he went over his chin a second time.　晚饭前他已经刮过脸，现在他再刮一次下巴。
　When I came in, she was already laying the table.　我进来时，她已在摆餐具了。
　When she went downstairs, they were already having their breakfast.　她下楼时，他们已经在吃早饭了。
　It was already raining hard when he went out.　他出去时，雨已经下大了。
　I already have enough trouble on my hands.　我目前的麻烦已经够多了。
　Is he back here already?　他怎么已经回到这儿了?
　Is my coat dry already?That's quick!　我的大衣已经干了?太快了！
　Are you going to bed already?It's only eight o'clock.　你竟然打算去睡觉?现在才8点呀！
　Have you found it already?　（真想不到）你已经找到了?
　Have you had breakfast already?　你已经吃过早餐了?
　Have you finished your composition already?You are very speedy.　你已经写完作文了吧?你动作真快。
　Hasn't she sold it already?　她不是已经把它卖了吗?
　You are not leaving us already, are you?　你这样早就要走了吗?
　Don't tell me you've eaten it already!　别告诉我你已经吃过了。

 ♣ already, still
　这两个词意思相近，但already指比预想的时间早， still指比预想的时间长。试比较以下两个句子：

 ♣ already, yet
　这两个词意思相近，其区别是：
1. already多用于肯定句，而yet多用于疑问句或否定句。例如：
　The guests have already arrived.　客人已经到了。
　Have the guests arrived yet?　客人到了吗?
　The guests have not arrived yet.　客人还没到。
2. already有时也可用于疑问句中表示惊讶、怀疑，或者表示期望〔预计〕有一个肯定的回答。试比较以下两个句子：


3. yet有时也可用于肯定句中，意思与still相同（仍然，还；迟早），而与already不同。
 ♣ already, all ready
　这两者读起来音相同，但却绝非一回事。already是副词， ready是形容词；already的意思是“已经”， all ready的意思是“全准备好”， all用以表示程度。试比较：

1. 他已起床。
　［误］ He already got up.
　［正］ He has already got up.
　［析］ already用于一般时态时，其谓语动词必须是持续性动词或状态动词，不可以是终止性动词。
2. 我14岁生日时就已经知道我一生要干的事。
　［误］ Already on my fourteenth birthday I knew what I wanted to do with my life.
　［正］ On my fourteenth birthday I already knew what I wanted to do with my life.
　［析］ already不可与表示时间的副词（短语）连用，应置于谓语动词knew之前。

　already　有时也用于祈使句，能使语气严肃的祈使句在语气上变得缓和，常用于口语中。例如：
　Let's start already.　那么咱们动身吧！
　Shut up already.　别说了，好不好！

　［同义词］ beforehand, previously