1

"Yes..." said Ron softly, "It's the only way... I've got to be taken."
"NO!" Harry and Hermione shouted.
"That's chess!" snapped Ron. "You've got to make some sacrifices! I take one step forward and she'll take me –– that leaves you free to checkmate the king, Harry!"
"But ––"
"Do you want to stop Snape or not?"
"Ron ––"
"Look, if you don't hurry up, he'll already have the Stone!" There was no alternative.
(Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)

Does already with future tense mean "at once, right away", or what does it mean?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

'Already' here means 'by then.' If you go slow, Snape will have got the stone by then. So, better hurry up.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .