Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 3 down vote favorite

Which one is sooner or closer to now?

  1. I've just called him.
  2. I've already called him.
share|improve this question
3  
I'll note that in your context, "sooner" and "closer to now" are opposites. Already is sooner, just is closer to now. – Marthaª Dec 7 '10 at 20:42

3 Answers

up vote 10 down vote accepted

"Just" implies that it happened immediately before you spoke. "Already" refers to some unspecific time in the past.

share|improve this answer
up vote 4 down vote

Just

put the emphasis on when you did (in the very near past)

Already

put the emphasis on the fact that you actually did. It could mean "No need to worry about it, I already did it", or it could mean "you are late, I already did it." for example

share|improve this answer
up vote 3 down vote

When one say:

I've just called him

It means it was done at the moment immediately before saying it. On the other hand:

I've already called him

only implies that it was done before, without being specific as when exactly it was done.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.