Cool MateAlready vs Previously vs So far
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Already
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Previously
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
So far
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Already
| Already | Previously | So far | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɔːlˈredi/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɔːlˈredi/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈpriːviəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈpriːviəsli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //səʊ fɑː//🇺🇸 //soʊ fɑr// |
| Meaning | Before now; by this time. | Before now; earlier. | Up until now; until this point in time. |
| Example | ‘Lunch?’ ‘No thanks, I've already eaten.’ | The building had previously been used as a hotel. | So far, we have completed half of the project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb | |
| Collocations | already completed, already know, already done | previously mentioned, previously discussed, previously stated, previously introduced, previously reported | so far so good, so far behind, so far above, so far from |
| Antonyms | not yet | subsequently, afterwards | - |
| Common mistakes | Using 'already' with future tense incorrectly., Confusing 'already' with 'yet' when asking questions., Placing 'already' at the end of a sentence incorrectly. | Using 'previous' instead of 'previously' in a sentence., Confusing 'previously' with 'currently' which means now., Misplacing 'previously' in a sentence and changing the meaning. | Using it as 'sofar' instead of 'so far'., Confusing 'so far' with 'until now' or 'up until now' without context., Omitting the 'so' when using it at the beginning of a sentence. |
| Usage notes | Use 'already' to indicate something has happened sooner than expected. It's appropriate in both spoken and written English, though more common in informal settings. Avoid using it in negative statements without context which can mislead timing. | Use 'previously' to connect past events with the present. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts but may sound too formal in casual conversations. | Commonly used in both spoken and written English. Suitable for conversations and informal settings, but can also be used in formal writings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Already vs Previously vs So far
What's the difference between Already, Previously, and So far?
Already: Before now; by this time. Previously: Before now; earlier. So far: Up until now; until this point in time.
Which is more common: Already, Previously, and So far?
Already is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Already, Previously, and So far?
Previously is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Already: ‘Lunch?’ ‘No thanks, I've already eaten.’ Previously: The building had previously been used as a hotel. So far: So far, we have completed half of the project.
Can I use Already, Previously, and So far interchangeably?
Not always. Already, Previously, and So far are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.