already

(adverbs)

Found 18 stronger alternatives to upgrade your writing.

earlier

Happened before now

T1

Nuance: Before now

Simple and clear replacement.

Boring

I finished my homework already.

Better

I finished my homework earlier.

by now

Expected to have happened

T1

Nuance: Earlier than expected

Shows expectation.

Boring

He should be here already.

Better

He should be here by now.

at this point

Status right now

T1

Nuance: Current progress

Good for explaining progress.

Boring

We have tried three ideas already.

Better

We have tried three ideas at this point.

so far

Progress until now

T1

Nuance: Up to now

Common in reflections and reports.

Boring

Already, we have raised 80 dollars.

Better

So far, we have raised 80 dollars.

up to now

Progress until now

T1

Nuance: Until this moment

Similar to so far; slightly more formal.

Boring

Already, no one has complained.

Better

Up to now, no one has complained.

as it stands

Already true right now

T1

Nuance: Already sufficient

Good for arguments: you do not need more.

Boring

We have enough volunteers already.

Better

We have enough volunteers as it stands.

previously

Formal: earlier time

T2

Nuance: Earlier occurrence

More formal than earlier.

Boring

I have already seen that movie.

Better

I have previously seen that movie.

beforehand

Prepared before

T2

Nuance: Prepared earlier

Best for planning and preparation.

Boring

We packed our lunches already.

Better

We packed our lunches beforehand.

in advance

Before a deadline

T2

Nuance: Early preparation

Use when it is done early.

Boring

She signed the form already.

Better

She signed the form in advance.

as of now

Status point (formal)

T2

Nuance: Current status

Formal way to report status.

Boring

Already, the project is finished.

Better

As of now, the project is finished.

prior to that

Earlier than a reference time

T2

Nuance: Earlier than a point in time

Formal; use for timeline writing.

Boring

I had already eaten.

Better

I had eaten prior to that.

by that time

Finished earlier than a point

T2

Nuance: Completed before a point

Use with a timeline or story sequence.

Boring

Already, we had finished the test.

Better

By that time, we had finished the test.

to date

Formal: until now

T3

Nuance: Up to now

Formal phrase for reports.

Boring

Already, we have collected 50 books.

Better

To date, we have collected 50 books.

thus far

Formal: up to now

T3

Nuance: Up to now

More formal than so far.

Boring

Already, the plan has worked.

Better

Thus far, the plan has worked.

long since

Happened a while ago

T3

Nuance: Not recent

Stronger than already; implies time has passed.

Boring

The snow has already melted.

Better

The snow has long since melted.

hitherto

Old-fashioned formal

T3

Nuance: Old-fashioned

Very formal; rare.

Boring

Already, no one had solved the riddle.

Better

Hitherto, no one had solved the riddle.

heretofore

Legal / very formal

T3

Nuance: Legal tone

Very formal; sounds legal.

Boring

Already, the rule was not enforced.

Better

Heretofore, the rule was not enforced.

by this point

Timeline checkpoint

T3

Nuance: Checkpoint in time

Slightly formal; good for narratives.

Boring

Already, we had read three chapters.

Better

By this point, we had read three chapters.