Can someone clarify 已经?
xiaophil
April 27, 2010 at 02:50 PM posted in I Have a QuestionMany of us have heard that 已经 and 了 go hand-in-hand. But wait a second. Which kind of 了? Generally speaking, there are two kinds of 了s. One is positioned behind a verb (but not a stative verb). One is positioned at the end of the sentence. So which kind of 了 goes with 已经. Also, I looked around nciku and found examples without 了. Can anyone tell me when 了 is not needed in an 已经 sentence?
Thanks!
catherinem
June 07, 2010 at 09:41 AM
Check out our grammar guide entry on 已经。There is a brief description, some examples, and a link to a related lesson. Hope that helps.
changqingteng
June 07, 2010 at 03:16 AM
（1）了is not needed in the structure " 已经 +verb+过+的+noun"
我已经说过的话就不再重复。
我要删掉这些已经看过的电影。
（2）In some complex sentences 了 in not needed.
不过目前我对此事已经拿定主张，因为我已在复活节那天受了圣职.
My mind however is now made up on the subject, for having received ordination at Easter.
我们已经换过两三次话题，总是谈不投机，以后还要谈些什么，我实在想不出来。
We have tried two or three subjects already without success, and what we are to talk of next I cannot imagine."
suansuanru
April 30, 2010 at 09:28 AM
>One is positioned at the end of the sentence. (not a particle)
i think both can be used within 已经.
however,sometimes 了 (not a particle) cannot be omitted in order to make the sentence more completeness.
changye
April 28, 2010 at 05:29 AM
In short, you can say both “已经开始” and “已经开始了”, but you can't say “我已经看”.
xiaophil
April 28, 2010 at 05:22 AM
Changye,
Okay, thanks a million. That helps.
Strange that it doesn't include two character verbs.
changye
April 28, 2010 at 05:11 AM
Hi xiaophil
One of my dictionaries says that you have to use “了” when “已经” is followed by a one-character verb, just like “我已经看了那部电影”.
xiaophil
April 28, 2010 at 12:56 AM
I more or less want to know what function 了 has when used with 已经, and where it should be placed within the sentence.
suansuanru
April 27, 2010 at 03:11 PM
i found that the sentence there without 了still make sence if you added 了.
yes i mean all of them.
xiaophil
June 07, 2010 at 09:59 AMThanks Changwingteng and Catherine!