As a formal alternative to もう, the 副詞(ふくし) (adverb) 既(すで)に is used in Japanese as ‘already’. Usually, 既(すで)に will come at the beginning of a phrase that it is clarifying as being ‘already (A)’.
すでに has several nuances in Japanese beyond just ‘already’, let’s take a look at a few of these possibilities:
のこらず - Nothing remaining.
あまねく - All around.
ことごとく - Altogether.
もはや - Already.
まぎれもなく - Beyond doubt.
These may all seem quite different, but together they show the full meaning of 既(すで)に very clearly. That meaning is ‘to be completely unchanging’. Let’s take a look at how
すでに can be used with each of these nuances.
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もうすでにチケットは売(う)り切(き)れです。
The tickets are already sold out. (Nothing remains)
彼(かれ)はすでに国民(こくみん)から名前(なまえ)を忘(わす)れられている。
His name has already been forgotten by the citizens. (Universal opinion)
彼(かれ)はすでにみんなと仲良(なかよ)くなっていた。
He was already becoming friends with absolutely everyone. (Altogether)
さっき食(た)べたばかりなのに、もうすでにお腹(なか)が空(す)いてきた。
I just ate earlier, but I am already starting to get hungry. (Already)
これはすでに決(き)まった事(こと)なので、もう私達(わたしたち)じゃ何(なに)もできません。
It is beyond doubt that this has been decided, so we can't do anything about it. (Beyond doubt)
Due to 既(すで)に implying something absolutely cannot be changed, it is often used to imply that something is ‘too late’, and that nothing else can be done about it.