Difference between “already know” and “have already known”





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I've been thinking that the phrase "already know" is different from the phrase "have already known".





  • Already know: I know something clearly at this point of saying (present)


  • Have already known: I've known something so far. (present perfect)


I may be confused in the explanation.



I don't know when we can use each of these phrases properly.



Thanks and best regards,










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  • possible duplicate of Present perfect for past action with present effect. As Quasiperfect says, the word already is irrelevant, so this question is simply about how/when to use present perfect.
    – FumbleFingers
    Apr 14 '12 at 16:39



















up vote
2
down vote

favorite
3












I've been thinking that the phrase "already know" is different from the phrase "have already known".





  • Already know: I know something clearly at this point of saying (present)


  • Have already known: I've known something so far. (present perfect)


I may be confused in the explanation.



I don't know when we can use each of these phrases properly.



Thanks and best regards,










share|improve this question






















  • possible duplicate of Present perfect for past action with present effect. As Quasiperfect says, the word already is irrelevant, so this question is simply about how/when to use present perfect.
    – FumbleFingers
    Apr 14 '12 at 16:39















up vote
2
down vote

favorite
3









up vote
2
down vote

favorite
3






3





I've been thinking that the phrase "already know" is different from the phrase "have already known".





  • Already know: I know something clearly at this point of saying (present)


  • Have already known: I've known something so far. (present perfect)


I may be confused in the explanation.



I don't know when we can use each of these phrases properly.



Thanks and best regards,










share|improve this question













I've been thinking that the phrase "already know" is different from the phrase "have already known".





  • Already know: I know something clearly at this point of saying (present)


  • Have already known: I've known something so far. (present perfect)


I may be confused in the explanation.



I don't know when we can use each of these phrases properly.



Thanks and best regards,







word-usage tenses writing-style






share|improve this question













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share|improve this question










asked Apr 14 '12 at 4:27









Thuan

43571220




43571220












  • possible duplicate of Present perfect for past action with present effect. As Quasiperfect says, the word already is irrelevant, so this question is simply about how/when to use present perfect.
    – FumbleFingers
    Apr 14 '12 at 16:39




















  • possible duplicate of Present perfect for past action with present effect. As Quasiperfect says, the word already is irrelevant, so this question is simply about how/when to use present perfect.
    – FumbleFingers
    Apr 14 '12 at 16:39


















possible duplicate of Present perfect for past action with present effect. As Quasiperfect says, the word already is irrelevant, so this question is simply about how/when to use present perfect.
– FumbleFingers
Apr 14 '12 at 16:39






possible duplicate of Present perfect for past action with present effect. As Quasiperfect says, the word already is irrelevant, so this question is simply about how/when to use present perfect.
– FumbleFingers
Apr 14 '12 at 16:39












3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
7
down vote













When we use the word already with the present perfect, we are usually referring to a completed action (which has present relevance):




  • I have already cooked dinner.

  • She has gone already.


But knowing cannot be regarded as a completed action in the same sense. It denotes a present or past state. So you cannot say:




  • I have already known that they are getting married.

  • I have already known how to speak Russian.


What you can say of course is:




  • I have already heard that they are getting married.

  • I have already learned how to speak Russian.


because hearing and learning can be regarded as completable actions.



And you can use already with the past simple to denote a state of knowledge that existed at some point in the past (and may or may not exist in the present):




  • I already knew that they were getting married (before I read it in the newspaper).

  • I already knew how to speak Russian (so I didn't need to do the course).




Unlike some languages English does not have two verbs to distinguish between a. knowing a person and b. knowing a fact or how to do something. With the former meaning it would be possible to say:




  • I have already known many people like you and have learned not to trust them.






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Already is just a modifier emphasizing that it has already happened. The difference is between the present (I know) and the present perfect (I have known).



    You would use the present tense when confronted with the something you've encounter beforehand.




    I already know how to turn on the television.



    I know how to drive a car.




    You would use the present perfect to express something that happened previously, without specifying the time. You'll only use the present perfect and "already" when expressing previous events relative to the present.




    I have been to France before.



    I have already known many people before meeting you.




    The past perfect is used to express something that happened before something else, without specifying the time.




    I had gone to France before I went to Germany.



    I had already known the story before I saw the film.







    share|improve this answer





















    • I know how to you these tenses basically but I kinda feel my two examples seem to be as the same meaning. Thank Quasiperfect much.
      – Thuan
      Apr 14 '12 at 4:58










    • It's to do with whether and when you're comparing them. They could, logically, represent the same thing in different forms.
      – Quasiperfect
      Apr 14 '12 at 4:59




















    up vote
    -1
    down vote













    "Preexisting" could possibly be the word you are looking for, but it quite possibly is not.






    share|improve this answer








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      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes








      3 Answers
      3






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes








      up vote
      7
      down vote













      When we use the word already with the present perfect, we are usually referring to a completed action (which has present relevance):




      • I have already cooked dinner.

      • She has gone already.


      But knowing cannot be regarded as a completed action in the same sense. It denotes a present or past state. So you cannot say:




      • I have already known that they are getting married.

      • I have already known how to speak Russian.


      What you can say of course is:




      • I have already heard that they are getting married.

      • I have already learned how to speak Russian.


      because hearing and learning can be regarded as completable actions.



      And you can use already with the past simple to denote a state of knowledge that existed at some point in the past (and may or may not exist in the present):




      • I already knew that they were getting married (before I read it in the newspaper).

      • I already knew how to speak Russian (so I didn't need to do the course).




      Unlike some languages English does not have two verbs to distinguish between a. knowing a person and b. knowing a fact or how to do something. With the former meaning it would be possible to say:




      • I have already known many people like you and have learned not to trust them.






      share|improve this answer



























        up vote
        7
        down vote













        When we use the word already with the present perfect, we are usually referring to a completed action (which has present relevance):




        • I have already cooked dinner.

        • She has gone already.


        But knowing cannot be regarded as a completed action in the same sense. It denotes a present or past state. So you cannot say:




        • I have already known that they are getting married.

        • I have already known how to speak Russian.


        What you can say of course is:




        • I have already heard that they are getting married.

        • I have already learned how to speak Russian.


        because hearing and learning can be regarded as completable actions.



        And you can use already with the past simple to denote a state of knowledge that existed at some point in the past (and may or may not exist in the present):




        • I already knew that they were getting married (before I read it in the newspaper).

        • I already knew how to speak Russian (so I didn't need to do the course).




        Unlike some languages English does not have two verbs to distinguish between a. knowing a person and b. knowing a fact or how to do something. With the former meaning it would be possible to say:




        • I have already known many people like you and have learned not to trust them.






        share|improve this answer

























          up vote
          7
          down vote










          up vote
          7
          down vote









          When we use the word already with the present perfect, we are usually referring to a completed action (which has present relevance):




          • I have already cooked dinner.

          • She has gone already.


          But knowing cannot be regarded as a completed action in the same sense. It denotes a present or past state. So you cannot say:




          • I have already known that they are getting married.

          • I have already known how to speak Russian.


          What you can say of course is:




          • I have already heard that they are getting married.

          • I have already learned how to speak Russian.


          because hearing and learning can be regarded as completable actions.



          And you can use already with the past simple to denote a state of knowledge that existed at some point in the past (and may or may not exist in the present):




          • I already knew that they were getting married (before I read it in the newspaper).

          • I already knew how to speak Russian (so I didn't need to do the course).




          Unlike some languages English does not have two verbs to distinguish between a. knowing a person and b. knowing a fact or how to do something. With the former meaning it would be possible to say:




          • I have already known many people like you and have learned not to trust them.






          share|improve this answer














          When we use the word already with the present perfect, we are usually referring to a completed action (which has present relevance):




          • I have already cooked dinner.

          • She has gone already.


          But knowing cannot be regarded as a completed action in the same sense. It denotes a present or past state. So you cannot say:




          • I have already known that they are getting married.

          • I have already known how to speak Russian.


          What you can say of course is:




          • I have already heard that they are getting married.

          • I have already learned how to speak Russian.


          because hearing and learning can be regarded as completable actions.



          And you can use already with the past simple to denote a state of knowledge that existed at some point in the past (and may or may not exist in the present):




          • I already knew that they were getting married (before I read it in the newspaper).

          • I already knew how to speak Russian (so I didn't need to do the course).




          Unlike some languages English does not have two verbs to distinguish between a. knowing a person and b. knowing a fact or how to do something. With the former meaning it would be possible to say:




          • I have already known many people like you and have learned not to trust them.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Apr 14 '12 at 7:57

























          answered Apr 14 '12 at 7:41









          Shoe

          24.9k43684




          24.9k43684
























              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Already is just a modifier emphasizing that it has already happened. The difference is between the present (I know) and the present perfect (I have known).



              You would use the present tense when confronted with the something you've encounter beforehand.




              I already know how to turn on the television.



              I know how to drive a car.




              You would use the present perfect to express something that happened previously, without specifying the time. You'll only use the present perfect and "already" when expressing previous events relative to the present.




              I have been to France before.



              I have already known many people before meeting you.




              The past perfect is used to express something that happened before something else, without specifying the time.




              I had gone to France before I went to Germany.



              I had already known the story before I saw the film.







              share|improve this answer





















              • I know how to you these tenses basically but I kinda feel my two examples seem to be as the same meaning. Thank Quasiperfect much.
                – Thuan
                Apr 14 '12 at 4:58










              • It's to do with whether and when you're comparing them. They could, logically, represent the same thing in different forms.
                – Quasiperfect
                Apr 14 '12 at 4:59

















              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Already is just a modifier emphasizing that it has already happened. The difference is between the present (I know) and the present perfect (I have known).



              You would use the present tense when confronted with the something you've encounter beforehand.




              I already know how to turn on the television.



              I know how to drive a car.




              You would use the present perfect to express something that happened previously, without specifying the time. You'll only use the present perfect and "already" when expressing previous events relative to the present.




              I have been to France before.



              I have already known many people before meeting you.




              The past perfect is used to express something that happened before something else, without specifying the time.




              I had gone to France before I went to Germany.



              I had already known the story before I saw the film.







              share|improve this answer





















              • I know how to you these tenses basically but I kinda feel my two examples seem to be as the same meaning. Thank Quasiperfect much.
                – Thuan
                Apr 14 '12 at 4:58










              • It's to do with whether and when you're comparing them. They could, logically, represent the same thing in different forms.
                – Quasiperfect
                Apr 14 '12 at 4:59















              up vote
              0
              down vote










              up vote
              0
              down vote









              Already is just a modifier emphasizing that it has already happened. The difference is between the present (I know) and the present perfect (I have known).



              You would use the present tense when confronted with the something you've encounter beforehand.




              I already know how to turn on the television.



              I know how to drive a car.




              You would use the present perfect to express something that happened previously, without specifying the time. You'll only use the present perfect and "already" when expressing previous events relative to the present.




              I have been to France before.



              I have already known many people before meeting you.




              The past perfect is used to express something that happened before something else, without specifying the time.




              I had gone to France before I went to Germany.



              I had already known the story before I saw the film.







              share|improve this answer












              Already is just a modifier emphasizing that it has already happened. The difference is between the present (I know) and the present perfect (I have known).



              You would use the present tense when confronted with the something you've encounter beforehand.




              I already know how to turn on the television.



              I know how to drive a car.




              You would use the present perfect to express something that happened previously, without specifying the time. You'll only use the present perfect and "already" when expressing previous events relative to the present.




              I have been to France before.



              I have already known many people before meeting you.




              The past perfect is used to express something that happened before something else, without specifying the time.




              I had gone to France before I went to Germany.



              I had already known the story before I saw the film.








              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Apr 14 '12 at 4:55









              Quasiperfect

              85855




              85855












              • I know how to you these tenses basically but I kinda feel my two examples seem to be as the same meaning. Thank Quasiperfect much.
                – Thuan
                Apr 14 '12 at 4:58










              • It's to do with whether and when you're comparing them. They could, logically, represent the same thing in different forms.
                – Quasiperfect
                Apr 14 '12 at 4:59




















              • I know how to you these tenses basically but I kinda feel my two examples seem to be as the same meaning. Thank Quasiperfect much.
                – Thuan
                Apr 14 '12 at 4:58










              • It's to do with whether and when you're comparing them. They could, logically, represent the same thing in different forms.
                – Quasiperfect
                Apr 14 '12 at 4:59


















              I know how to you these tenses basically but I kinda feel my two examples seem to be as the same meaning. Thank Quasiperfect much.
              – Thuan
              Apr 14 '12 at 4:58




              I know how to you these tenses basically but I kinda feel my two examples seem to be as the same meaning. Thank Quasiperfect much.
              – Thuan
              Apr 14 '12 at 4:58












              It's to do with whether and when you're comparing them. They could, logically, represent the same thing in different forms.
              – Quasiperfect
              Apr 14 '12 at 4:59






              It's to do with whether and when you're comparing them. They could, logically, represent the same thing in different forms.
              – Quasiperfect
              Apr 14 '12 at 4:59












              up vote
              -1
              down vote













              "Preexisting" could possibly be the word you are looking for, but it quite possibly is not.






              share|improve this answer








              New contributor




              unkown is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
              Check out our Code of Conduct.






















                up vote
                -1
                down vote













                "Preexisting" could possibly be the word you are looking for, but it quite possibly is not.






                share|improve this answer








                New contributor




                unkown is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                Check out our Code of Conduct.




















                  up vote
                  -1
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  -1
                  down vote









                  "Preexisting" could possibly be the word you are looking for, but it quite possibly is not.






                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  unkown is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  "Preexisting" could possibly be the word you are looking for, but it quite possibly is not.







                  share|improve this answer








                  New contributor




                  unkown is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer






                  New contributor




                  unkown is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.









                  answered 31 mins ago









                  unkown

                  1




                  1




                  New contributor




                  unkown is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.





                  New contributor





                  unkown is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.






                  unkown is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                  Check out our Code of Conduct.






























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