Cool MateAlready vs So far
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Already
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
So far
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Already
| Already | So far | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɔːlˈredi/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɔːlˈredi/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //səʊ fɑː//🇺🇸 //soʊ fɑr// |
| Meaning | Before now; by this time. | Up until now; until this point in time. |
| Example | ‘Lunch?’ ‘No thanks, I've already eaten.’ | So far, we have completed half of the project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | already completed, already know, already done | so far so good, so far behind, so far above, so far from |
| Antonyms | not yet | - |
| 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 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. | 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 So far
What's the difference between Already and So far?
Already: Before now; by this time. So far: Up until now; until this point in time.
Which is more common: Already and So far?
Already is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Already: ‘Lunch?’ ‘No thanks, I've already eaten.’ So far: So far, we have completed half of the project.
Can I use Already and So far interchangeably?
Not always. Already 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.