already /ɔːlˈrɛdɪ/ CET4 TEM4

• 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. 已经

  例：

  They had already voted for him at the first ballot.

  他们已经在第一轮投票中投了他的票。

  例：

  She says she already told the neighbours not to come over for a couple of days.

  她说她已经告诉了邻居们这两天不要过来。

• 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

  例：

  The authorities believe those security measures are already paying off.

  当局相信那些安全措施已经在起作用了。

  例：

  He was already rich.

  他早就富了。

  例：

  Already, she is thinking ahead.

  她早就在考虑未来了。