Jack112 Posted 21 years ago
Grammar
Already
1. I thought I paid for this long time ago already. (Is 'already' used correctly here? I think I'm supposed to use 'already' with present perfect, but it doesn't work here?)
Eg. Present perfect:
2. I have paid for this already. (Correct)
3. I thought I have paid for this long time ago already. (Incorrect? Is this incorrect because I am using present perfect with past tense?)
4. I thought I had paid for this long time ago already. (Is this correct? Or do I need another past action?)
Thanks.
Eg. Present perfect:
2. I have paid for this already. (Correct)
3. I thought I have paid for this long time ago already. (Incorrect? Is this incorrect because I am using present perfect with past tense?)
4. I thought I had paid for this long time ago already. (Is this correct? Or do I need another past action?)
Thanks.
Top answer
First of all, in all cases, you must add the word " a ": The expression is " a long time ago", not simply "long time ago". That aside, the possible tenses and sequences of tenses are: I paid for this already. / I already paid for this.
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First of all, in all cases, you must add the word "a": The expression is "a long time ago", not simply "long time ago".
That aside, the possible tenses and sequences of tenses are:
I paid for this already. / I already paid for this.
I have paid for this already. / I have already paid for this.
I think I have paid ... already. / I think I have
That aside, the possible tenses and sequences of tenses are:
I paid for this already. / I already paid for this.
I have paid for this already. / I have already paid for this.
I think I have paid ... already. / I think I have
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With 'already' is there a rule where I have to use it with present perfect? It is correct with just past tense?
1. That movie came out already.
2. That movie has come out already.
3. I did this already. (If #1 is correct, how come this isn't? It should be 'I have done this already.' )
Thanks.
1. That movie came out already.
2. That movie has come out already.
3. I did this already. (If #1 is correct, how come this isn't? It should be 'I have done this already.' )
Thanks.
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Speakers of British English have a very strong preference for 'already' with the perfect tenses to the exclusion of the simple past. (But check with a speaker of BrE to be sure.)
Americans use 'already' quite freely with the perfect tenses and the simple past. "I already saw that movie". Even though as a speaker of AmE I accept and sometimes generate these constructions with
Americans use 'already' quite freely with the perfect tenses and the simple past. "I already saw that movie". Even though as a speaker of AmE I accept and sometimes generate these constructions with
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