Where to put "already"

[ana2005]

Hello teachers
I'm having problems with the position of already in one sentence. I've learned that this adverb takes a middle position (They have already arrived) but what happens when there are several auxiliaries or a modal verb? I mean:
- He must have already arrived or
- He must already have arrived or
- He must have arrived already.
In fact, the last one sounds more natural to me, I don't know why, but it contradicts the rules, doesn't it? May anyone lend me a hand?
Thanks a lot.

 

[riverkid]

Hello teachers
I'm having problems with the position of already in one sentence. I've learned that this adverb takes a middle position (They have already arrived) but what happens when there are several auxiliaries or a modal verb? I mean:
- He must have already arrived or
- He must already have arrived or
- He must have arrived already.
In fact, the last one sounds more natural to me, I don't know why, but it contradicts the rules, doesn't it? May anyone lend me a hand?
Thanks a lot.

What you learned and were taught is the normal neutral position for these adverbs, Ana. Many adverbs can be place in other positions and in many cases it changes the nuance, feeling, emotion level.

All your examples are possible.

 

[rewboss]

I think also it's good to remember that "already" takes the "middle position" when you put it in the verb phrase. But it's also possible to put it at the end or even the beginning of the sentence, and then the "middle position" rule doesn't apply:

He should have been here already.

Already it was starting to get dark.