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I want to say and emphasis that the situation from the previous sentence already shows the naturality of some approach. I want to write:

This in itself (already) shows the naturality of such approach.

However, I am not sure if I can use the word "already". Is "This in itself already" grammatically correct?

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  • In what way does adding the word "already" change what you want to convey with this sentence? – JeremyC Mar 8 '18 at 15:17
  • @JeremyC I think it puts additial emphasis which I want actually. I am worried if it is correct though. – Fallen Apart Mar 8 '18 at 15:20
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    Use of the adverb there is unexceptionable. It's a matter of style and emphasis. – Robusto Mar 8 '18 at 15:51
  • There is nothing wrong with the grammar. With "already" included, I, as a reader would expect you to go on with some additional point or points that support the idea that the approach is natural. – JeremyC Mar 9 '18 at 16:34
  • @JeremyC Which I didn't give... Thanks for this hint. Maybe I will add one more sentence. – Fallen Apart Mar 9 '18 at 21:46
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The basic sentence would be:

This shows the naturality of such approach.

If you want to add some emphasis, you add "in itself":

This in itself shows the naturality of such approach.

And for even more emphasis:

This in itself already shows the naturality of such approach.

Therefore, even if it is not needed for the proper understanding of the sentence, it adds to the style.

If we make a short analysis of the sentence, we discover that:

  • "in itself" adds emphasis to "this";
  • "already" adds emphasis to "shows".
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I agree that there is nothing wrong grammatically with any of

This shows

This already shows

This itself shows

This itself already shows

This in(by) itself shows

This in(by) itself already shows

It is a matter of style which to use. Personally, I find the "This by itself shows" to be a concise and clear way to emphasize that whatever "this" refers to is a sufficient demonstration although there is additional evidence.

But both "naturality," a word I have never seen used, and "naturalness," a word that seems far from euphonious, bother my sense of style far more than combining "in itself" and "already." Personally, I'd write

This by itself shows the approach to be natural.

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