Does 'ALREADY' always precede the verb?

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Kristine May

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For example:

Celeste ALREADY knew that she was staying there.

Celeste knew ALREADY that she was staying there.



Which is correct?
 

Khosro

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For example:

Celeste ALREADY knew that she was staying there.

Celeste knew ALREADY that she was staying there.



Which is correct?

The first one is common.

No, it does not always precede the verb:
"She is already thin!"

(I should add that we are dealing with "be" verb here.)
 
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Kristine May

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The first one is common.

No, it does not always precede the verb:
"She is already thin!"

(I should add that we are dealing with "be" verb here.)


When do you put it before the verb and when do you put it after? I want to know the rule.
 

Khosro

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When do you put it before the verb and when do you put it after? I want to know the rule.

1) When it comes to "be" verb I prefer to put it after the verb, and on the net, as google shows, it is 11 times more common than putting it before "be".

"I am already a millionaire"

But before you jump to any conclusion, take a look at this:
EN: even if I already am - WordReference Forums

2) you could put it before the main verb or at the end of the sentence, or even perhaps at the beginning of the sentence.

I have already seen the movie.
I have seen the movie already.

3) look for some question sentences as well.
 

5jj

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When do you put it before the verb and when do you put it after? I want to know the rule.
Already normally goes before full verbs, after auxiliary verbs, and after BE whether it is a full or an auxiliary verb:

I already earn more than I need.
I have already told you that.
I am already there.
I am already earning anough.


It can also go at the end of a clause for greater emphasis.

This explains why both of your original sentences are fine.
 

Kristine May

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Already normally goes before full verbs, after auxiliary verbs, and after BE whether it is a full or an auxiliary verb:

I already earn more than I need.
I have already told you that.
I am already there.
I am already earning anough.


It can also go at the end of a clause for greater emphasis.

This explains why both of your original sentences are fine.


What are auxiliary verbs? How do they differ from full BE verbs and linking verbs?
 

Khosro

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What are auxiliary verbs? How do they differ from full BE verbs and linking verbs?

1- Take a look at these pages:

Auxiliary Verbs - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com

Linking Verb - Glossary Definition - UsingEnglish.com

2- "BE" as full verb can be a linking verb in some cases:
"It is nice."

I wonder if "BE" is linking verb in the following sentence:
"There is a cat on the roof."

3- I already have a course book. (here "have" is a full verb, as you know)
 

5jj

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What are auxiliary verbs?
The link provided by Khosro lists DO, HAVE and BE as the auxiliary verbs.

I think of these as the primary auxiliary verbs, and also consider modal verbs to be auxiliaries. I should have made this clear in my last post. Sorry.
 
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